419 scam: "Mr.Godwin Ben" <o9911@peoplepc.com> ATTENTION DEAR FRIEND,

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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.
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.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a 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.
- +2348184166079
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.
- moneygram332@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Godwin Ben" <o9911@peoplepc.com>
Reply-To: "Mr.Godwin Ben" <mtransfer89@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2014 12:41:12 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
Subject: ATTENTION DEAR FRIEND,

ATTENTION DEAR FRIEND,

Please if you really want your fund to be pick up by you without any delay, Kindly go and send only $100.00 because there is no time to delay regarding the transfer of this your Fund, it is good to be good, the lord said that many are called but few are chosen, do listing to anything that I told you because it must surely come to happen, Are you ready to pick up this $6000.00 sent today.

We have concluded to affect your payment through money gram transfer $6000.00 daily until the sum $800.000.00 is completely transferred. Meanwhile, I am Dr Godwin Ben. Has money gram the $6000.00 in your name today. So contact US Money Gram Agent to pick up this $6000 now: Contact person :(DR.DANIEL ODOH).TEL:+234 8184166079.E-mail :( moneygram332@hotmail.com ). You should be wondering why am telling you all this, and I pray that ,By the name of Jesus Christ, you should get whatever things you want and God shall supply all your need as stated by his riches in glory through Christ Jesus «Philippines 4 Vs 19, please go ahead to send the money $100.00 only, it is only this $100.00 hold your fund to be set free to you in your country, because I have make all the necessary arrangement to set free your fund total $800,000.00usd to you, I cannot deceive you at all because of $100.00 but am only telling you the truth because my Bible say that I am the truth and the life and also "he emphasis that only truth can save, that is the reason why I keep on telling you to go and send the $100 and receive your fund,

Here Is The Payment information of your first payment that has been transfer but it's still on hold till you send the transfer charge; we will release this your fund immediately the fee okay.

Money Transfer Control Number:# 92613412
Senders First Name: Joseph
Senders Last Name: Ude
Question: What Color?
Answer: White

Here is the payment information which you will use to send the $100.00
immediately below is.western union or money gram .

Receive Name: Johnson Eze
Country: Nigeria
City: Lagos,
Text Q: How Long?
Answer: 3Hours.
Amount: $100.00
Senders Name:.....
MTCN Number:………

Do not worry about, everything is getting to be OK! .We are waiting to Receive the information as soon as possible. Yours in service
God Blesses You from Money Gram.

Best Regards And God Bless.
Mr.Godwin Ben
Call: +2348184166079.
Federal Money Gram Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam