419 scam: "From: Mike Lucas" <enkatoshi3535@kch.biglobe.ne.jp> Your (SPECIAL BONUS COMPENSATION)...

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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. )
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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 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.
- w_union101@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "From: Mike Lucas" <enkatoshi3535@kch.biglobe.ne.jp>
Reply-To: w_union101@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2016 05:16:25 -0600
Subject: Your (SPECIAL BONUS COMPENSATION)...

This is to officially inform you about the latest RESOLVED by the Board
of Directors in respect to your (UNCLAIMED) Inheritance; Lotto won which
have been in our custody for a long period till date. We learnt that you
were asked to pay some certain amount in order to receive your (FUNDS)
of which you could not then, due to one reason or the other. Now Western
Union (Department) here is offering you a (SPECIAL BONUS COMPENSATION)
to help you in receiving your total (FUNDS) in our custody. In other
words, we now need fee of ($97) only from you to RE-NEW AND RECONFIRMING
YOUR OLD PAYMENT FILE.

This is for you to start receiving your (OUTSTANDING UNCLAIMED FUNDS)
left in our custody.

Meanwhile, this is the last opportunity for you to receive your (FUNDS)
and you are advised for your best interest to comply immediately with
this resolution in which will lead you starting receiving your funds
($4,000) per day 2x1, totaling (USD$3.7m).Note that after (4-DAYS) of
this notice and you fail to make the renewal payment as required, then
we will convert the funds to Government account as the law stipulates
here that will result to a cancellation of your payment.

Also Note that after (1-weeks) of this notice, we shall enter for a new
project for the year and that is our reason for offering you this help,
so do not fail to comply.
You are hereby advised to contact the paying officer as directed and
send your details as stated below and also pay the ($97) immediately, so
that we can key in your payment in our PAYMENT DATA BASE to enable you
to start receiving your payment from today or latest tomorrow.

After the payment of ($97) you will start receiving your money every day
($4,000 X 2) either through Western Union or Money Gram, bank to bank
transfer preferably by you ($8,000) until the full payment of (USD$3.7m)
Is completed. The total sum you will be receiving per day is ($8,000) in
two payment($4,000 X
2)and, SO YOU SHOULD NOT BE ASK FOR DEDUCTION because the payment has
been gazette by the Presidency and as such, no deduction or addition can
be imposed on it.

Contact the managing director with your personal identification code
(ST709D) and Send your Contact information's provide error sending to
wrong person;
(1) Receivers full Name---
(2) Country and Address----
(3) Direct Tel---
(4) Attach of your ID or driving license---

Contact Person: Mr.CHARLES HAGAN,
Emails: w_union101@yahoo.com

Please make sure you reply to them direct email contact below:
(w_union101@yahoo.com) okay.

He will direct you with further information where to send the fee ($97)
I repeat do not bother responding to this email if you cannot meet up
the requirements.

Mike Lucas...
Ecowas Payment Center
Note: if you found in spam/Junk please mark as inbox.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam