419 scam: "Mr Jeffrey Germain." <GOODMORNING.@aroma.ocn.ne.jp> Dear esteemed customer,

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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. )
- "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. )
- "million dollars" (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)
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.
- +22999298631 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- ebank236@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Jeffrey Germain." <GOODMORNING.@aroma.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "ebank236@gmail.com" <ebank236@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2016 10:12:56 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Dear esteemed customer,

Dear esteemed customer,
we are informing you of our successful arrangement to transfer your full compensation winning fund of $15.8 million dollars via a new banking system of online with Central Bank Benin which is affiliated with world bank of Switzerland, The money is no more also will not to be delivered to you by Western Union/Money Gram/DHL/FedEx/UPS due to many unforeseen fees and charges they kept demanding, your fund ($15.8 million) is now with Eco Bank under the control & care of the Bank Manager.
Be informed that this bank will set up a new overseas account from their bank and shall provide you with the account information which you shall use to access the account anywhere in the whole word, none residence account is what they will open for you and all your total fund shall appear in the account once you have logged into the account with the account information they are going to give you after they have opened the account
The new account shall take them only 3 hours to be opened on your behalf after they have gotten your re-confirmation information sequel as its writing & listed below:
Full name:
City:
Province:
Country
Address:
Phone:
Fax number:
Passport number:
Marital status:
Gender:
Age:
Occupation:
Postal code:
Office address:
E-mail address:
password:
Existing Account:

Account Name: Account Number:
Bank Name:
City:
State:
Country:
Zip / Postal Code:
Endeavor to send the bankers the above listed information with their contact information below:
Eco Bank Management
Mr Jeffrey Germain
TEL: +229-992-986-31
Direct Email: ebank236@gmail.com

Contact them with above information to ensure that they set up an account bearing your name for you to access and get the money transferred into your nominated account of your choice over there, Give us an update once you have successfully received your fund ($15.8 million) into your account anywhere you wish,

SINCERELY YOURS
MRS. VERONICA BOXER
IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR
BENIN REP.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam