419 scam: "Mr. Richard White"<adam@domain.org> Attention: Please,

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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:
- "activation 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. )
- "you are required to pay " (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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
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.
- +22967750265 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- unitytrustbankplc937@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Richard White" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <unitytrustbankplc@barid.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 14:03:41 -0800
Subject: Attention: Please,

Attention: Please,

How are you, hope you are fine? This is to notify you about the meeting held today by Ministry of Finance and His Excellence (Dr. Yayi Boni) PRESIDENT OF BENIN regarding your inheritance fund worth of $7.5 (Seven Million Five hundred thousand United States Dollars) which you tried several occasions to claim but never succeed and we have come to final conclusion that the fund will be deposited to UNITY TRUST BANK BENIN for them to open ON-LINE ACCOUNT in your name where fund will be transferred to your previous account in country within 72hours.

We have made all the necessary arrangement with the Managing Director (DR. WENS AJARA) of UNITY TRUST BANK PLC and the fund has be deposited in their bank to open ON-LINE ACCOUNT in your name, So contact the UNITY TRUST BANK PLC BENIN with your personal information and bank details for your online transfer.

Contact Person: (DR. WENS AJARA) MD.
Emails Address: (unitytrustbankplc937@gmail.com)
Telephone Number: +229 (6775 0265)

Note: this transaction is approved by the President of Federal Republic of Benin, so be advised to stop every transaction you are doing part from this one to avoid any trouble and from now on, any message you receive that’s not from me or the paying bank.

Kindly forward it to us for prepare investigation and the only office that’s in charge of your fund here in Africa is UNITY TRUST BANK PLC BENIN (UTB), so don’t allow yourself to be deceived and also i want to inform you that the only fee you are required to pay is $199.50cent for the account activation fee, so be advised to contact the UNITY TRUST BANK for more instruction and also to provide your UTB Account details.

Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Mr. Richard White
Director Ministry of Finance Benin.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam