419 scam: "MR. Mark James" <"www."@vega.ocn.ne.jp> Attention;

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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:
- "clearance 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. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- "million dollars" (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)
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "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.
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.
- +22968839974 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. Mark James" <"www."@vega.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "MR. Mark James" <moneygramtransfer609@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2017 18:01:51 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention;

Attention;

We have received your email, inheritance, you winnings and scam victim
compensation SCAM VICTIM'S COMPENSATION FROM THE IMF BENIN
distribution department,under Federal Ministry of Finance,Benin
Republic, which indicates that we should be sending to you daily
payment of $5,000.00 until your total sum of [ $2.5MILLION DOLLARS USD
) is completely transferred to you.

This is your control # and pick up details for the $7,000 in money gram.

Receiver's Name ......Ambros smith
Reference #: 94575379
Amount: $7,000.00
Text question:honest
Answer: trust.
Sender name.... Mark James

Senders address: 11 senande Marche Akpakpa Benin Republic.
Note that each ref # is $7,000.00 with same info. of sender/receiver.

Your depositor has paid for the transfer charge and your first payment
has already been sent but it was on hold because the Tax Clearance fee
has not been paid, The Tax Clearance fee is only $65 Usd.

Be informed that your fund was kept on hold due to an instruction from
the Manager's Office (Capital city Bank Manager ) so that you may not
by any chance pick the fund until you pay the Tax Clearance fee of $65
only Usd only,You are assured that immediately you pay this Clearance
fee of $65Usd, the information to your first payment of $7,000.00 Usd
will released immediately.

Here the information were to send the required fee through Money Gram.

Receiver Name.... Bright Ezeh
Country......Benin Republic
City.........Cotonou
Question ... when
Answer......now
Amount...$65

Call on +229-68839974
Yours Faithfully
MR. Mark James
Money Gram

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam