419 scam: "Mr. Frank Mike" <ecobankboardbeninplc2008@gmail.com> THIS IS ONLY OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE TO RECEIVE YOUR FUND

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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:
- "required 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. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "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.
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.
- +22962423839 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Frank Mike" <ecobankboardbeninplc2008@gmail.com>
Reply-To: w.unio111@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2016 02:27:18 -0800
Subject: THIS IS ONLY OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE TO RECEIVE YOUR FUND

* HAPPY VALENTINE IN ADVANCE? *
* (VALENTINE BONANZA FOR YOU SO COMPLY AS URGENT AS YOU CAN.)*

* THIS IS ONLY OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE TO RECEIVE YOUR FUND*
* Am writing to inform you that I have some funds at hand to assist you but
it is not yet complete and secondly you have to assured me that after I
have help you that as soon as you receive your first payment that you will
return all my supported money.*

* Beside I have $100,00 at hand as you know that the required fee is
$150,00, now the remain fee is $50,00, which I asked IMF director three
good times to be sure that your fund will be release to you after you
complete the remain $50,00 without any more fee because you have paid a lot
of fee and you did not received anything and he ensured me that nothing
will stop you not to receive your fund the same day you sent the fee, so my
dear I want you to go to western union or money gram and send the remain
$50,00 immediately after you receive this mail because your first payment
of $5000.00 will be send to you within 40minis after I confirmed the
required fee of $50,00 okay,*
* I am assuring you now that you will never be disappointed after sending
this $50.00 today just let me know once you make the payment you will
receive your first of $5000.00 within 40minutes after receiving the Last
fee $50 from you. Bear it in mind that your total fund is the sum of $1.5
million and you will be receiving the sum of $5000.00 per day until you
received your total fund completely.*

* You will send it through western union or money gram with this
information bellow.Receiver:............ John
DubemCountry:.............Benin RepublicCity:............Cotonoucountry
code.....00229Question:......... ONLY?Answer:.........
GOD.Amount........$50.00 us-dollarSender Name.....MTCN.......*

* Thanks and God bless as am looking forward to hear from you as the funds
beneficiaryTHANKS FOR OUR PATRONAGE,YOURS SINCERELYMr. Frank MikeFOREIGN
OPERATION MANAGERTel Phone +229-62-423-839*

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam