419 scam: DEPT OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS <serafinaadorey@sgbbj.com> Ref: Please may it strictly personal

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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:
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
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.
- +22996749866 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: DEPT OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS <serafinaadorey@sgbbj.com>
Reply-To: adoreyserafina@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:28:54 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Ref: Please may it strictly personal

Greetings,
Firstly, My names are Celina Webster, a Guyanese resident in Benin Republic.
I work at the Department of Finance & Economic Affairs, Cotonou, Benin Republic.
I need a partner of foreign nationality whose identity can be used to transfer certain sum of money out of this country. A partner who will be silent over this transaction and keep all the information private and confidential.
I will go into written agreement with you in partnership to facilitate the transfer of the money to the bank account you provided.
This money accrued legitimately to me as commissions from foreign contract payments made by my office to Nigerian Government through an Aide of the Nigerian President who managed the account in four occasions. The funds are presently waiting to be remitted from the bank here to any overseas bank account of yours which is confirmed by me.
Note i am not allowed by the civil service code of conduct and company working ethics to own or operate bank accounts with large volumes of money inside / outside the country and it is quite unsafe to leave this money here.
If you consider transacting with me for benefits and good interest do respond quickly to me for detailed planning on its procedure but all is secured and i am incharge here.
Should you require further information or seek clarity of any form, please do not hesitate to contact me on the numbers listed below.
For your information, this transaction is above board; it is absolutely confidential and has nothing to do with my office.
Please I advice strictly that you keep this to yourself.

Sincerely,
Celina Webster.
Private Tel: +229-96749866.
Office Tel: +229-21335991.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam