419 scam: "MRS. JESSICA EZEH" <officefile2334@gmail.com> YOUR ATTENTION IS NEEDED:

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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
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.
- +22968808554 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS. JESSICA EZEH" <officefile2334@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "MRS. JESSICA EZEH" <westernunion0201@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 18 May 2015 09:56:53 +0900 (JST)
Subject: YOUR ATTENTION IS NEEDED:

Your total fund $2.8million was deposited at the office of the Western Union Money transfer under the custody of Mr. James Anderson. You shall be receiving $5000.00 everyday and per transfer. To begin the transfer, your first $5000.00 has been sent in your name and ready for pick up so you are hereby advised to contact the Western Union agent; Mr. James Anderson immediately for the release of your transfer information (MTCN, sender names, question and answer test) of your first payment sent today.

Please note that you have to pay for a transfer of fund activation cost. When you contact Mr. Anderson, ask him the cost of the activation fee for your fund transfer which you need to pay before your transfer information is released to you for pick up today.

Note that the western Union has also been mandated that on no reason shall any amount be deducted from your total fund for you shall receive your funds as we have it registered here and you are only paying your activation fee to them.

Contact person: Mr. James Anderson (Western Union Director)
Contact phone number. 00229 688 085 54

Please contact them now for the immediate release of your funds and also to give you the m t c n, sender's name, to pick up your first $5000.00 from your total fund today. Have it in you that $5000.00 shall be transferred to you daily till the full payment of $2.8million is completely transferred and the transfer charge has been taken care of please note.

Forward your full name, Telephone number and Address to them immediately so they will be sure of what they have to avoid mistakes. We shall also forward your message to them in case you sent your email back to this office and they shall contact you from their office as soon as possible.Reply to this message with your full details reconfirmed.

FORWARD THEM YOUR FULL INFORMATION AS BELOW.
Your Full name ..................
Your address.....................
Your city........................
Your country.....................
Your age.........................
Your sex.........................
Your occupation..................
Your phone number................

Yours in Service
The secretary,
Federal Ministry of Finance and
Debt Management Board,
Dr. Mr. Jessica Ezeh

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam