419 scam: "Mrs. Barrister Ann Johnson" <fileoffice364@gmail.com> Attention: Dear Fund Beneficiary.

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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:
- "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. )
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "barrister" (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.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +22968564703 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Barrister Ann Johnson" <fileoffice364@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Barrister Ann Johnson" <westernnunionoffice2015@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:20:58 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention: Dear Fund Beneficiary.

FROM FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE
146 AVENUE VAN AVAKPA ROAD
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC

Attention: Dear Fund Beneficiary.

We have concluded to effect your compensation payment- through-western.union transfer, as the rightful Beneficiary that did not receive their fund for a long time now, so your fund is now ready to transfer to you through Western Union Transfer; with out any further delay. as it was instructed from Federal Ministry Of Finance Benin Republic, here in Benin Republic, and western union transfer has made the arrangement for you to be receiving $5,000 USD, daily until the the total some of $1.6 Million USD, is completely transferred to you accordingly, So kindly contact the western union Agent Mr. Edward Samuel, and let him know about this notification letter.

Western union Agent Contact information's.
Name:Mr. Edward Samuel.
Direct phone number.: +229-6856 4703.

So hasten up and give the agent a call to process your payment at once, Ask him for the payment details to enable you pick up your first payment of $5,000.00 USD, at any Western Union Agent location around you.

You are required to reconfirm them with the requested in formation's for the meditate transfer of your fund and to enable them confirm that they are dealing with the genuine beneficiary.

Full Name:............
Country:..................
Current City:............
Direct Telephone:.......
Fax:...........................
Age;...........................
Occupation:..........
Attach Copy of your ID:........

Upon the receipt of your email with the required information's they will notify you with the next line of they action.

We anticipate your quick response to this important message.

Thanks
Mrs. Barrister Ann Johnson
From Federal Ministry of Finance.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam