419 scam: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARev John Collins <"ww."@wit.ocn.ne.jp> Attention: Betty Davidson,

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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "courier company" (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)
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.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a 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.
- +22998317588 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARev John Collins <"ww."@wit.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARev John Collins <dhlexpressdelivering222@outlook.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2017 19:47:44 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention: Betty Davidson,

DHL EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY BENIN REPUBLIC,
BENIN REPUBLIC LOT
NO,23PATTE D'OIE 03
BP 2147, AIRPORT EXPRESS WAY/
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC.
OFFICE TEL +229 98317588,

Attention: Betty Davidson,

We hereby acknowledge receipt of your mail and your $18.5M in ATM MASTER CARD was programmed in line with Mr.James B, Comey the Director Of FBI Benin after the board meeting with our CEO yesterday with agenda on how to deliver your ATM MASTER CARD; your ATM MASTER CARD will be sent to you via DHL express Courier Company Benin Republic. And it will cost you only $80.00 dollar for the delivery fee. The maximum withdrawal value $10,00.00 withdrawal at a time and three times per day and you are entitle to use it 20 days in a week and all the steps to use ATM MASTER CARD was well stated in the user's Manual for your understanding, you will receive the user$B!G(Bs manual from the agent once he arrives in your home. It is mandatory by Mr.James B,Comey,that you sending the $80 dollar fee via the MONEY-GRAM to our accredited accountant Name:GABRIEL ONOCHIE .

HERE IS INFORMATION WERE YOU USE TO SEND IT THROUGH WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM TRANSFER

RECEIVER'S NAME:.......Ben Ikem
COUNTRY:...............BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY:..................COTONOU
TEXTQUESTION:..........Who is great
ANSWER:................Lord
AMOUNT:................$80.00 DOLLAR ONLY
SENDER'NAME............
MTCN PAYMENT INFORMATION:.................................?

after making payment forward the payment information to my email as soon as possible..

Rev John Collins. DIRECTOR,
DHL EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY
BENIN REPUBLIC LOT NO,23PATTE
D'OIE 03 BP 2147, AIRPORT EXPRESS WAY/
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC.
OFFICE TEL +229 98317588

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam