419 scam: "MR.Mark Ben" <barbara.orlandini@alice.it> Attention beneficiary,

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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:
- "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "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)
- "his direct line" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
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.
- +22999521189 (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.
- diamond.b38@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR.Mark Ben" <barbara.orlandini@alice.it>
Reply-To: diamond.b38@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2018 17:11:45 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Attention beneficiary,

Attention beneficiary,

I am Mr.Mark Ben,the director of Diamond Bank Benin. This is to bring to your
notice that my office has taking over all the money Transaction originated from
any part of African/ Europe and Asia counties etc. as Contract payment,Fund
inheritance or Lottery Winning due to Unauthorized/incapability of financial
Institutions/security

companies In releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud,terrorist and money
Laundry activities going on world wide.

The World Bank Group has Mandated the Diamond Bank Benin via my Office to
release funds to beneficiaries through ATM CARD delivery
Hence Your Name appears as one of The fund beneficiaries whom their fund was
successfully cleared recently From Terrorist and Money laundry and your money
will be released to you Through ATM CARD that will be
easy for you to withdraw in any atm machine in your country and ATM CARD
delivery will be the only way you would receive Your money to avoid paying
excess charges. As regard to this arrangement,you are advised to contact the
telex director MR. Mark Ben through his direct line +229 99521189 Contact DR.
Mark Ben with the
contact information below.

Name: MR.Mark Ben
DIRECT TEL: +229 64652473
Email: diamond.b38@yahoo.com

You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers, Your
complete name and your house address to MR. Mark Ben for Immediate release of
your ATM CARD to you Most importantly be aware that ($4.5Million Dollars) Only
was allocated to you,

Be also informed that the Fund Approvals and authorization document Including
Anti-terrorist Clearance Certificate was issued in your name and has been
handed
over to DR.Mark Ben to release to you.

Finally,MR.Mark Ben is standby to receive your communication and Release your
ATM CARD to you through delivery agent without further delay.

Make your contact directly to him
through Email contact any time because we are
working 24 Hours to be able to meet
with the mandate given by the World Bank,
Thanks for your maximum
cooperation. Mr Mark Ben

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam