419 scam: "ATMCARD" <scan@imicrosys.com> Attention: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:

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. )
- ",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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "atmcardpaymentoffice87@yahoo.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- "atmcardpaymentoffice87@yahoo.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" 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.
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.
- +22998847197 (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.
- atmcardpaymentoffice87@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "ATMCARD" <scan@imicrosys.com>
Reply-To: atmcardpaymentoffice87@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2016 14:38:55 -0500
Subject: Attention:Beneficiary

Attention:Beneficiary

With respect to the foregoing business matter regarding the final release
and subsequent transfer of your approved payment valued at the sum of
$1,500,000.00 USD via ATM Card, I write to officially inform you that your
payment order by Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Card System has been
successfully processed today and the US$1,500,000.00 has been loaded into
an ATM Card Hence, in compliance with the Payment Procedure of the
FINANCIAL BANK PL C, you are expected to settle in full a
"Processing/Shipping Fee" estimated to the value of US$ $98 USD before
final delivery of funds can be effected to your designated address.

You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of $20,000.00 USD is
permitted on withdrawal per day with a minimum of $1000 per withdrawal
and we are duly inter switched, meaning you can make withdrawal in any
location and ATM Center of your choice. We have concluded delivery
arrangement with DHL COURIER SERVICE, to be fully insured by Nice
Insurance Corporation. In view of this development, you are requested to
immediately offset the Courier and Insurance charges of $98 USD through
the Company given payment instruction as follows to enable the receiving
company insure and deliver the card to your address;

WESTERN UNION OR MONEY-GRAM TRANSFER

RECEIVER: NAME: James Osita
ADDRESS: 5, ALHAJI JACK STREET
COUNTRY: BENIN REPUBLIC.
CITY: COTONOU.
TEST QUESTION: COLOR?
ANSWER: BLUE
AMOUNT: $98 USD

Send the Transfer Number to this office for further action. Be informed
that delivery will be made to your address in 48 hours after our
confirmation of this payment for delivery, as you know that the delivery
fee receipt will be attach on your payment delivery documents to avoid
being delay by the customs. Please advice this office your preferred time
of visitation for delivery and be informed that your valid ID card must be
presented to the dispatchers before release will be done.

TAKE NOTE. Be aware that you are the only person left to receive your ATM
Card out of the (6) Six beneficiaries and for your confirmation go to DHL
Express Delivery Services website
(atmcardpaymentoffice87@yahoo.com) and you
will see the one on Transit and the ones we delivered (1222947316)
1106958510, 4855973872,) Track DHL Express Shipments with
(atmcardpaymentoffice87@yahoo.com)

I stated the above for you to know that you are the only person left to
receive your ATM Card. So call the Director, ATM Payment: Dr. Michael with
+229 98847197 for more details regarding the shipment of your ATM Card.
You have to stop any further communication with anybody or office for you
to receive your own ATM Card without any further delays.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam