419 scam: Anthony john <"www."@happytown.ocn.ne.jp> ATTENTION: DEAR CITIZEN.

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "are expected to pay " (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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
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.
- +22968623539 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- westernunion77039@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Anthony john <"www."@happytown.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Anthony john <westernunion77039@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2017 09:45:26 +0900 (JST)
Subject: ATTENTION: DEAR CITIZEN.

FROM DR.Anthony john.
ATTENTION: DEAR CITIZEN.

This is to bring to your notice that because of the impossibility of your fund transfer through the western union network, I am doing all I can to make sure you receive your funds and I protected your funds for almost six Months now but I assure you that you still have every opportunity to claim your entire funds from the United State Embassy Office Benin Republic ( U.S.E.B.R ).

I am only trying to help you because of the way the payment was handled in the past. Secondly, I can not sit and watch you loose your funds after confiding in me. As a matter of fact, there are still decent and God fearing people here in the United State Embassy Office Benin Republic which I am a good example. Since I came to this office in the year 2017, I have helped so many foreign Contractors/Beneficiaries from all paths of the world in claiming their long over due fund from the Benin Government.

If you don't want to conclude these matter before Monday coming week just inform me today so that I can know what next to do because I can just be hearing same story and you will be dealing with people and sending information's to them and if you cant send the fee then know that your fund will be canceled and all your effort so far will turn useless because I did all I can for my government to protect your fund and your personality but you won't listen, I can help you if you help yourself.

If you can be able to come up with $79.00 for the Clearance Paper today, I will make sure you get your fund tomorrow morning, your fund is ready to transfer to you as I write to you now due to my effort and I don't know why you should be dealing with people outside my office, just do your best and these transfer will be conducted.

Finally if this fund will be terminated and there is no way on earth you can get this fund because the IMF will just have to cancel your name from the payment file, its better you conclude these matter within the given date.

If I receive the fee , I assure you that you are going to confirm your funds in your Country WITHIN 10HRS through our choosing Diplomatic Agent. I shall try my possible best to make sure I conclude the due legal process and will like you to Take my word because i am strong be hide you and my effort to this does not end until you confirm the availability of your fund in your hands.

Please do not allow any body to deceive you and I expect your response and I don't want you to be tired of these, just take life easy and see what the result will be by next Week, I will expect your response and the fee sent by moneygram money transfer. Just get back to me today with the details and I promise to release your fund to you, it's not easy and I believe you have tried as well, so make sure you conclude these or your fund will be terminated by the High Authority and that is all I can say for now.
Note that your consignment box has been arrived in US embassy and waiting to receive clearance certificate before the gate pass is given

I am expecting the payment information as soon as you can so we can proceed immediately. Note that you are expected to pay only $79.00 for clearance certificate and you are to pay it to Benin Republic as the origination of the consignment box. Send the $79.00 through moneygram money transfer once you receive this mail with the information below for immediate release of your FUNDS,

USE THIS INFORMATION AND SEND THE FEE
RECEVERS:NAME: JEFFERY OKE
COUNTRY BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY COTONOU
TEXT QUESTION URGENT
TEXT ANSWER URGENT
AMOUNT: $79.00 usd
MTCN==========
SENDER NAME==========

Once you send the money, try to notify us with the MTCN# AND THE SENDER'S NAME for easy pick up and for immediate action on the release of your consignment. Please treat this as matter of urgency. Note that any unclimbable consignment will be return to the Courier Company after 3 days for final diversion. So you are urgently advise to comply with our demand so that your consignment will be among those that will be deliver this week

Yours In Service,

DR.Anthony john
Tel +22968623539
Email:(westernunion77039@gmail.com)
Assistant Secretary Of U.S In Benin State For African Affairs

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam