419 scam: Donatus Benson <serviceofficehelp@gmail.com> DID YOU AUTHORIZED ANYBODY TO CLAIM YOUR $2.5 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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
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.
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.
- +22968943784 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Donatus Benson <serviceofficehelp@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Donatus Benson <donaben@yeah.net>
Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2016 10:25:58 +0900 (JST)
Subject: DID YOU AUTHORIZED ANYBODY TO CLAIM YOUR $2.5 MILLION

Benin Republic/Address 455 Agbokou,Ankpa Road
Tele- +22968943784

Attention:,

We received an email from this Mr. Michael Victor and his friend Dr. Jerry Lawrence Richard. who said that you was give them the power of attorney to make claims of your funds that you are not capable to complete your transfer again, so we should transfer your funds to their giving account and they promise to pay for the balance so that we will be transfer your funds to them.

They said that they have an meting with you in some hours ago and you give them this office email address that they should contact us and let us know that you are the one who give them your power of attorney to them to make the claim on your behalf that you are not capable to complete the transfer any longer We will like to hear from you before we give them the order and we will being divert your funds to them like they said you give them your power of attorney to make claims of your funds ($2.5 million)

However , we shall proceed to issue all payments details to the said name Mr. Michael Victor and his friend Dr. Jerry Lawrence Richard, if we do not hear from you within the next 4 working days from today; this fund will be transferred to the account of Mr. Michael Victor and his friend Dr. Jerry Lawrence Richard.

Meanwhile if you still need your Fund, you are advice to get back to my office immediately with the requested to re-confirm your details to enable us have your correct details to wire your fund.

1. Your full name:........................
2. Your telephone numbers:.................
3. Your full home address:.................
4. Your Company address and position.............
5. Your Age and Sex.............

CONTACT PERSON: DIRECTOR
Tel:::: +22968943784

This fund will be remitted into your bank account within 48 hrs as soon as you confirm to this office that you did not send the above name to claim your fund on your behalf, make sure that you get back to us with your above requested information unless you are sure that you send Mr. Michael Victor and his friend Dr. Jerry Lawrence Richard. to claim the fund on your behalf.

Mr.Donatus Benson
Federal Ministries of Finance Benin Republic.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam