419 scam: "Mrs.Vivian Douglas" <barclaysblnd@gmail.com> FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE

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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:
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "processing fee" (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. )
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (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.
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 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.
- bia.cash@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Vivian Douglas" <barclaysblnd@gmail.com>
Reply-To: bia.cash@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 09:37:47 -0700
Subject: FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE
NATIONAL HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY COMPLEX
SENATE HOUSE - UPPER CHAMBERS WUSE DISTRICT, COTONOU BENIN

Our Ref: FGN /SNT/STB

I have to inform you again, that we are not playing over this,I know
my reason for the continuous sending of this notification to you,the
fact is that you can't seem to trust any one again over this payment for
what you have been in cantered in many months ago, but I want you to
trust me,

I cannot scam you for $39 it is for bank processing of your
payment, the fees of $39 is clearly written to you before, I did not
invent the bill to defraud you of $39 it is an official bank payment
processing fee, and the good part of this, is that you will never, ever
be disturbed again over any kind of payment, this is final, and the

forms from there becomes effective once we submit your payment
application processing fee and pay the form fee of $39 I don't want you
to loose this fund this time, because you may never get another such

good opportunity, the federal government is keen and very determined to

pay your overdue debts, this is not a fluke, I would not want you to
loose this fund out of ignorance, I will send you all the documents as
soon as bank payment processing fee is paid, you have to trust me, you

will get your fund, find a way to get $39 you will not loose it, instead
it will bring your financial breakthrough, find the money and send it to
our bursary. The reason why am sending you this because I want you to
receive your USD2.5M immediately we are trying to round up for this
payment program.

The processing charges which was initially on the high price has been
cut down by the payout bank considering the poor economic situations
that make it difficult for the middle class citizens to meet up with the
processing charges of their entitlement. Upon the confirmation of your
processing charges you will get your $2.500, 000.00 into your account
within 15hrs.

Here is the payment information through western union money transfer or
money gram money transfer finally my advice to you is not to abandon
this transaction because of the requirement of ($39)

Account Officer Info:

Receiver's first name:Obala Anthony
Country: Benin Republic
City: Cotonou
Text Question: When
Answer: Now
Amount required: $39

Sender's Name:
MTCN Number#:
Sender’s address:
Sender’s full banking details to avoid wrong transfer:

As soon as the payment is received today, you will receive your $2.5M
the same today without any delay.

Send your reply only at:(bia.cash@yahoo.com)

Best Regards
Mrs.Vivian Douglas

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam