419 scam: "Mr. James Steven" <"www."@grace.ocn.ne.jp> PICK UP YOUR FIRST PAYMENT #232-923-9167

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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. )
- "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. )
- "foreign remittance manager" (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)
- "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 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.
- jamessteven111@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. James Steven" <"www."@grace.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. James Steven" <jamessteven111@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2017 23:43:36 +0900 (JST)
Subject: PICK UP YOUR FIRST PAYMENT #232-923-9167

From the Honorable Office of Rev James Steven (General Manager Western Union, Ankpa Agbokun , Benin Republic.) (jamessteven111@yahoo.com)

Attention,

I acknowledge the receipt of the mail message to my office today been the 3th of Dc 2017, and I am also in my deep sense of regret to hear about the misfortune you have had so far in trying to receive your Benefited Fund that is deemed to be transferred by our reputable Organization (Western Union).

Yes, I have been briefed by the Foreign Remittance Manager Sir, Wilson Johnson about the situation Of Your Fund, and the predicaments. This Fund is supposed to have gotten to you before now, and to tell you the fact, the moment I signed the last documentation on your transfer file, I ascertained that you would have gotten your money through the Board of Directors Oriented Decision after you have procured the Clean Bill Record Certificate.

Nevertheless, no much damage has been done; I have been able to retrieve the CERTIFICATE from the Ministry House today, and for immediate release of your payment.

Below is the First Payment that is sent to you this morning:

Track it now (https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/send-money/app/tracktransfersuccess)

Sender Firs Name: Thang
Sender Firs Name: Quangta
MTCN Number: 232-923-9167
Amount: $5,000
Text Question..IN GOD
Text Answer WE TRUST

Haven sent you the first payment today, one thing you must do now is to send to my assistant the sum of $185usd, so that the payment can be fully activated to your name as it is available to pick up and will have to be fully activated before you can be able to pick it up in your local Western Branch Office.

Use Below Information to make the payment:

Receiver Name: Mike Henry
Country: Benin
City: Cotonou
Amount: $185usd

Take my word for real (This is the last thing you are to do to receive your whole fund installment), as I advise you to immediately update me with the payment information so that I can instruct the full activation of the payment to your name today.

I apologies for the inconveniences you have encountered at this length.

You are to get back to me immediately you receive my email.

Yours in service
Thank you.
Mr.James Steven
Minister of finance

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam