419 scam: "Mr. Bennett Johnson"<h.b.l.plc@live.com> DEAR CUSTOMER.

joewein.net

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
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.
- +447024078772 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- halifaxlondonplc@hotmail.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Bennett Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <halifaxlondonplc@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 00:57:40 +0200
Subject: DEAR CUSTOMER.

HALIFAX BANK LONDON PLC

From The Desk Of Bennett Johnson

Director Foreign Remittance Department

Halifax Bank London Plc

HALIFAX PLC,174 Armada Way,Plymounth, Devon,

PL1 1JU,UK.

Phone: +447024078772

E-mail: halifaxlondonplc@hotmail.co.uk

OUR REF #UK/STB/TMR/3020/010

REF: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF US$10.500, 000.00

Dear: Customer.

I am Mr. Bennett Johnson, Director Foreign Remittance Department Halifax Bank London Plc, set up to fight against scam and Fraudulent activities worldwide.

This Group is responsible for investigating the legitimacy of unpaid contract, inheritance and lotto winning claims by companies and individuals and directs payment of verified claims to the beneficiaries without further delay.

You are being legally contacted regarding the release of your long awaited fund. After a detailed review of your file, the United Nations Association has mandated the Halifax Bank UK, to release your fund immediately.

The sum of USD10.5Million has been approved in your favor via my desk. This payment will be effected through Swift Telegraphic Transfer. You are advised to include the following information.Your Full Name? Your Address? Your Private Cell Phone Number? Your Account Name? Your Bank Name / Address? Your Account Numbers? Your Routing Numbers? Your Age/ Marital Status? Your Occupation/ Position? Copy of your International Passport or Valuable Drivers License? For reconciliation with Information forwarded to the bank by this office.

Your Prompt Co-operation is highly imperative.

Thanks for Banking with us.

Yours Truly.

Mr. Bennett Johnson.

Director Foreign Remittance Department.

President and Member of Operating Committee, Halifax Bank London Plc.

Halifax Bank is a full service financial firm and the largest U.K based bank. Halifax Bank offers a complete line of personal, small business, commercial banking services and wealth management services. The retail financial services segment of Halifax Bank offers regional banking, mortgage banking, auto finance services, checking and savings accounts, home equity and business loans, bank CDs, competitive CD rates and investments through bank branches, ATMs, online banking, and telephone banking.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam