419 scam: "MARK ALLEN" <alliedsrv.allied.local@maroon.pobox.com> FROM THE DESK OF CHIEF ACCOUNTANT OFFICER

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "levy " (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. )
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "inland revenue" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +2348187806170
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- allenmarkallen@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MARK ALLEN" <alliedsrv.allied.local@maroon.pobox.com>
Reply-To: <allenmarkallen@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2013 06:16:07 +0430
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF CHIEF ACCOUNTANT OFFICER

FROM THE DESK OF CHIEF ACCOUNTANT OFFICER

OF UNION BANK NIGERIA PLC

ACCOUNTANT OFFICER MR .MARK ALLEN

HEAD OFFICE falomo plot 96/97

Broad Street P.B.Box 28933 Lagos Nigeria

Telephone:+234-8187806170

E-Mail: allenmarkallen@yahoo.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Mr.Mark Allen. I work as the Regional Manager of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. With operational office at Falomo, Lagos- Nigeria. I am 45years of age with three kids. I have packaged transaction that will be of mutual benefit to both of us. As the Regional Manager of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Falomo, it is my duty to send financial report to the Head office at Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

During the second quarter financial report ending June, 2008, I discovered that one of the branches under my portfolio failed to detect the sum of US$28 .5milliion (Twenty Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) accruing to the Inland Revenue Services (IRS). The renowned official auditors did not it so I moved the funds into an Escrow call account with no specific beneficiary attached.

Meanwhile, and for obvious reasons, I cannot be directly connected to this money but I can levy claim to it with help from outside. This is my reason for contacting you to assist by receiving the funds into your bank account in your country.

This is very possible provided you liaise properly with me. At the end of the transaction, you will receive 30% of the total funds as your benefit. The transfer of the money will be made by swift and will be a Bank-to-bank wired transfer. Consequently, all I need from you is to stand- in as the original depositor of this money. I will then compute all your particulars and details as the rightful person who made the deposit initially at my branch so that my Head Office will authorize the immediate transfer of the money to your designated/nominated bank account.

Your full name.........

Age.....................

Home Address............

Phone number...........

Fax....................

Country location.......

For more information on this, please kindly send your reply to my private e-mail box as follows: Email (allenmarkallen@yahoo.com).

Yours Sincerely

Mr.Mark Allen

Tele:+234-8187806170

Please Reply Me Through These Mail: allenmarkallen@yahoo.com}

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam