419 scam: "Dr .Benja" <Ani@redpointjackets.com> Your Funds CERTIFIED CHECK

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "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)
- "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 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.
- +22998062560 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr .Benja" <Ani@redpointjackets.com>
Reply-To: bankofa@yeah.net
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 05:56:54 +0700
Subject: Your Funds CERTIFIED CHECK

Dear ; Friend,I am Dr.BENJA ANI. The New Secretary of the Treasury under
Cotonou Benin West Africa Department of the Treasury. The executive agency
responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial
security of the Benin Republic. However, by virtue of my position as the new Secretary
of the Treasury, I have irrevocably instructed the ECO BANK Board to approve your fund
release via Bank Transfer As You said drawn on ECO BANK, which is the authorized bank
for your fund release.

However, as a former White House Chief of Staff. Prior to that role, BENJA
was the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), I wish to
state categorically that a $12,500,000.00 USD drawn on Federal ECO BANK
will be issued and sent to you via the Bank Transfer at no cost to you.
Every and all cost associated with the transfer has been per-paid by the
BENIN Government. The only cost associated with your fund release is the
cost of processing a "Fund Clearance Certificate", which is estimated to the value of
$57 USD. The "Fund Clearance Certificate" is required in accordance with the U.S
Monetary Policy; and it is the ONLY expenses you will incurr before the Funds will be
sent to your Bank account. Hence, you are advised to send the $57 via Money Gram ONLY to
" MIKE UBAH "who is the nominated receiver for the $57 And deposit To Us. The wiring
details is stated below:

Use Money Gram To make the payment because is our best Office to
receive Transfer here As we can Not Receive Money By Western Union Here, Send it Through
Money Gram Bellow this Receiver Details.

Receiver: MIKE UBAH
Address,Cotonou-Benin Republic
Test Question: Color
Answer: Blue
Amount: $57
REF#;
SENDER;

Please get back to me with a quick confirmation of your mailing address and the payment
slip for the $57.

Yours Sincerely,
Dr.BENJA ANI
Secretary of the Treasury
Call me +22998062560
Email bankofa@yeah.net

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam