419 scam: "DR DAVID PATRICK" <test@biztune.net> YOUR ATM CARD IS READY

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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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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.
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.
- +22965669643 (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.
- email.company.dhlcourier@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "DR DAVID PATRICK" <test@biztune.net>
Reply-To: company.dhlcourier@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2018 22:54:11 -0400
Subject: YOUR ATM CARD IS READY

--
My Dear,

This is to inform you that we have receive your mail now regarding your
ATM CARD that was deposited in our company but there is no much problem in
this matter because i believe that all is alright now . Once again thanks
for your kind respond and to avoid much delaying we received your email
with your delivery address very clear and well understood because we have
your ATM CARD of fund deposited in our custody here by United Bank, Your
ATM registration Number is ( 22-87457 ). so we are very clear with your
responding.

Secondly; your ATM card is well ready to deliver to you but the only thing
holding your ATM card now is the sum of $250.00 which was made for our
official keeping charges because the depositor have paid us for the
delivery fee and the rest charges but the only thing you have to pay for
is our official keeping fee of $250.00 dollars, and we are excepting the
payment today, to enable you receive your tracking number.

so use this information now and run to any Western union or money Gram,
and make the payment today, to enable our delivery agent proceed to your
address and again you have to reconfirmed your address and your phone
number to us once more to avoid misplacement.

PAYMENT INSTRUCTION (WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER OR MONEY GRAM).

Receiver Name: Cherry Okoma
Destination: Cotonou, Benin Republic
QUESTION: In God
ANSWER: We Trust
Amount Sent: $250.00 Dollars..

Money transfer control number (MTCN)
Senders Name
Senders address.

Best Regards
Director DHL courier company Benin Republic
Dr.Patrick David
+229 65669643
EMAIL.company.dhlcourier@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam