419 scam: "Mrs .Mireille Ballestrazzi" <Interpolfundrelease3@smile.ocn.ne.jp> Ref/Payment Code: (6614) / US$4,500,000 Million.

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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:
- ",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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "earnestjames@foxmail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +22968551212 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs .Mireille Ballestrazzi" <Interpolfundrelease3@smile.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Mireille Ballestrazzi" <earnestjames@foxmail.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2015 20:31:10 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Ref/Payment Code: (6614) / US$4,500,000 Million.

World Extreme metro plaza,

Plot 991/992 Zackariah Malabar street

cad astral zone A.O central business district.

Ref/Payment Code: (06614) / US$4,500,000 Million.

We discovered that you have not received your payment according to the official instructions previously. And we sincerely apologize for any damage this delay might have caused you already. Meanwhile I was instructed to inform you that we have arranged to pay you sum of ($4,500,000 million US) through international credit card that is cash able in all the ATM machine or Bank anywhere in the world.

The foreign payment manager Dr.Earnest James will issue the ATM card the instant you make contact with him, and organize your funds in form of your personal identification number and that will allow only you to have access over your money, this arrangement is to make sure you receive the payment easily today through D.H.L company without any more delays.

The above listed information should be forwarded to him via his below Email Address:
Contact Name: Dr.Earnest James
E-mail: earnestjames@foxmail.com
Telephone number: +229-68551212

Needed from you,

Full Name
Home address
Mobile numbers
Country
Your ID

Dr.Earnest James is a God fearing and with good account of which others have received their funds successfully through his services and there was no complaining so far, so I can assure you that you will receive the payment today according to the instruction I gave to him which rely on your immediate conglomerate with him. Bear it in mind that the only fee you are to pay is your delivery charge once you contact them, no more fee after that.

God Bless you,
Mrs Mireille Ballestrazzi

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam