419 scam: OFFICE DEPARTMENT urgent response

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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. )
- "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. )
- "processing 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. )
- "chambers" (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.
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.

Fraud email example:

From: OFFICE DEPARTMENT
Reply-To: <westernunionbj@qq.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 2015 19:59:21 -0500
Subject: urgent response

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE NATIONAL HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY COMPLEX SENATE HOUSE=
- UPPER CHAMBERS WUSE DISTRICT, COTONOU BENIN Our Ref: FGN /SNT/STB Honest=
ly i am just disappointed at your behavior because you know that i am a Wom=
en of God and cannot deceive you, I know my reason for the continuous sendi=
ng of this notification to you, the fact is that you can't seem to trust an=
y one again over this payment for what you have been in cantered in many mo=
nths ago, but I want you to trust me, I cannot scam you for $39 it is for b=
ank processing of your payment, the fees of $39 is clearly written to you b=
efore, I did not invent the bill to defraud you of $39 it is an official ba=
nk payment processing fee, and the good part of this, is that you will neve=
r, ever be disturbed again over any kind of payment, this is final, and the=
forms from there becomes effective once we submit your payment application=
processing fee and pay the form fee of $39 I don't want you to loose this =
fund this time, because you may never get another such good opportunity, th=
e federal government is keen and very determined to pay your overdue debts,=
this is not a fluke, I would not want you to loose this fund out of ignora=
nce, The processing charges which was initially on the high price has been =
cut down by the payout bank considering the poor economic situations that m=
ake it difficult for the middle class citizens to meet up with the processi=
ng charges of their entitlement. Upon the confirmation of your processing c=
harges you will get your $1.500, 000.00 into your account within 15hrs. Her=
e is the payment information through western union money transfer, or Money=
Gram finally my advice to you is not to abandon this transaction because o=
f the requirement of ($39) Receivers Name: Harry Offor Country: Cotonou Ben=
in Republic City: Cotonou Test Question: When Answer: Today Sender's Name: =
MTCN Number#: Sender=92s address: Sender=92s full banking details to avoid =
wrong transfer: As soon as the payment is received today, you will receive =
your $1.5M the same today without any delay. Best Regards Mrs. Vivian Dougl=
as

Anti-fraud resources:

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