419 scam: "Mr. Mike Ofo" <obiuchelawrence@yahoo.dk> ATTENTION ALL OUR CUSTOMER'S;

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "remmitance department" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "remmitance department" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "westernunion_1984@in.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "westernunion_1984@in.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "westernunion_1984@in.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22997568974 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Mike Ofo" <obiuchelawrence@yahoo.dk>
Reply-To: westernunion_1984@in.com
Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:43:15 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: ATTENTION ALL OUR CUSTOMER'S;

Welcome to the western union Cotonou Benin Republic.
274 Tokpa Market Raod FOREIGN REMMITANCE DEPARTMENT
02 BP 581 RUE TUNDE DE JERICO COTONOU, BENIN REPUBLIC
Director Name: DR. MIKE OFO,Cell Phone: +229-97568974.
E-mail: westernunion_1984@in.com

ATTENTION ALL OUR CUSTOMER'S;

This is to about the latest development concerning all the payment that
are left in our custody, which yours are inclusive, Besides your where
given a bill of $35.00 in order to receive your payment of which we did
not hear from you for sometime so now, Hence, our Western Union Head
Office is now offering a Special BONUS to help all our customers that are
having their payment in our custody due to of prices.. In order words we
are now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum of $35.00 to
enable the Western Union Head Office Activate their payment file so that
the Western Union payment center can start sending your payment by
$6000.00 daily and they will receive all their payment abandoned in our
custody which is total sum of $2.5million usd.

Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and you have to comply
and your funds shall be transfer to your designated address But remember
that after (SIX DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will divert
your funds to the Central Bank Of this Country as Government Funds, to
avoid problem or we will cancel the payment for this year until next year
because this year is not like last year.

Again after (6 DAYS ) We will enter A new project for the year and that is
the reason why we decided to help to all our customers before we enter
into the new project So be advise to send the $35.00 immediately so that
we will register your payment and for you to start receiving $6000.00 as
from tomorrow be advise that there is no time again for we to call any
person on phone you will email us through our Email address with the Mtcn
Number of the $35.00 thanks. (westernunion_1984@in.com) After the payment
of $35 you will start receiving your money every day $6000..00 through
this Western Union payment center Send the money through Western Union
Money Transfer with the information below Also the total amount we will
transfer to you is $2.5million usd only.

Receiver's Name:DR. MIKE OFO
Country:Benin Republic.
City-------Cotonou
Text Question------In God
Answer------We Trust
Amount-----$35.00 only
Senders Name-----------------
MTCN---------------

The moment i receive the payment of $35.00 they will release the first
payment information of $6000.00 to you and you will pick up the money and
they will send you another money tomorrow morning without any further
delay. Hoping to hear from you.

DO LET ME KNOW IMMEDIATELY YOU GOT THIS EMAIL FOR RECORD PURPOSES.

YOURS SINCERELY
DR. MIKE OFO,(FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER)
WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC.
Contact Email;( westernunion_1984@in.com)
Cell Phone: +229-97568974

Anti-fraud resources:

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