419 scam: "Mr. Ego Amaka." <drbensonow@gmail.com> Don't ever !!

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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. )
- "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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Ego Amaka." <drbensonow@gmail.com>
Reply-To: egoamakaeeaa@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2023 17:53:23 +0100
Subject: Don't ever !!

Dear Beneficiary,

I am Mr. Ego Amaka, director of the cash processing unit, United bank for
Africa (UBA) , the only bank appointed by the A.U members led by President
Azali Assoumani. Due to ongoing fraud in East Africa countries where some
innocent beneficiaries were asked to pay in advance before receiving their
money. The above Africa union and I.M.F held a meeting in the Republic of
Uganda and resolved to pay all beneficiaries in cash through diplomatic
courier service.

The above union has approved and appointed United Bank For Africa (UBA) to
pay you the sum of ($1.500,000,00) but due to ongoing fraud in East Africa,
we have taken (US$5,000) from your fund for handling charges. Therefore the
amount you will receive from the diplomat is ($1.495, 000.00) instead of
($1.5M).

We have set up a plan to conclude this transaction with you; hence you can
give us maximum co-operation. We want you to stop further communication
with any person, Bank or courier that has promised to pay you through bank
to bank, western union, money gram, ATM card, even check, do not listen to
them because Uganda Republic financial institution has prohibited such
payment due to fraudulent activities all over the country.

We also understood from the file that you have been dealing with the
fraudsters who has been extorting money from you, my dear as a senior
banker controlling this cash payment now, I advice you not to waste your
hard earned money by paying any body in advance again, and if you follow my
instruction you will receive your money in three banking working days
time.Your fund will be packaged in a consignment box and shipped through
licensed diplomatic courier service. I will also send the picture of your
box via attachment to you, for you to view how the money was packaged. I
will send you more mails to give you more information with my Working Id
for you to know the genuineness of this transaction.

Therefore quickly forward your full names, home address and direct phone
number to me for immediate delivery. All the information will be sent to
you, if I am assured that you have stopped sending money to those
fraudsters.

I am waiting to read from you with the required information.

Yours in service,
Mr. Ego Amaka
Director cash processing unit
United bank for Africa.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam