419 scam: MR PAUL ALX <oceanicbankplc.transfer@gmail.com> YOUR INITIAL PIN IS (#7184) ACCOUNT 0041 8822711.

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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:
- "required fee " (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. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "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.
- +22998263442 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: MR PAUL ALX <oceanicbankplc.transfer@gmail.com>
Reply-To: oceanicbkplc.atmcustomercare@info.al
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:32:09 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: YOUR INITIAL PIN IS (#7184) ACCOUNT 0041 8822711.



FROM OCEANIC BANK PLC BENIN REPUBLIC

ADDRESS; AVENUE STERMETZ RUE
1255
Mobile
Phone +229-98263442

Attention:Beneficiary,

This is to acknowledge the
receipt of the order from the Federal Ministry Of Finance, in respect with the
provision act of decree 116 of the 1999 constitution; I am directed to inform
you that your payment verification and confirmations is correct. Therefore, we
are happy to inform you that arrangements have been concluded to effect your
payment as soon as possible and in our bid to transparency.

The latest
instruction by the World Bank concerned any International ATM CARD delivery has
stated to change the PIN CODE by the beneficiary. The number below (#7184) is
your initial personal identification number (PIN) an important secret code that
grants access to your account via the ATM. The initial pin is required for your
first time access to the ATM although will be change to your personal choice
code when receive.

Select the exchange pin AA transaction option on the
ATM screen to replace this initial pin number with another number of your
choice. you are free to select any 4 number digit number as your PIN. Note that
you will not be allowed to perform any other transaction with your card until
you successfully changed your PIN. Moreover you will only withdraw twice per day
the sum of (5,500). We have obtain all the required documents for you to receive
the ATM card.

YOUR INITIAL PIN IS (#7184) ACCOUNT 0041 8822711.
By
selecting your pin, you are assured that nobody else knows the pin to your
account. please ensure that you do not reveal your pin to anyone, Not EVEN TO
ANY STAFF OF THE BANK. Once this pin has been compromised,

the ATM CARD
re- activate charges is only $78.00 As soon as payment is confirmed we shall
immediately dispatch your package and email you with the FEDEX tracking numbers
so as for you to be able to track your package online and know when to be at
your home to receive it.

We expecting to have the fee today unfailing as
your ATM CARD will re- activate here all the information is ready with you now
remaining your ATM CARD to send to you.

Remember to keep this
information secret Send the required fee to our customer services. We shall
keep you up up to date on how you will be using it. You will have to make the
payment of $78.00 available to this office using Western union money transfer
with the name of our secretary's information's as stated below.

THE
ACTIVATION PAYMENT HAS TO SEND TO;

Receiver Name: Obiorah
O.Christopher
country:
Benin Republic.
City;Cotonou
Amount:$78.
Question: Equity?

Answers:Justice.
Please be
informed that the ATM card and the pin would be enclosed in the envelope and you
can make withdrawals from the moment you receive the package.

Note
that this should be treat as urgency. Hours are Monday-Friday 7.45 am-6 pm CST,
Saturday 7.45-4.pm. during these business hours we will respond to your email
within 24-48 hrs. If you are contacting us during the weekend please know that
we will begin to answer all email promptly on Monday morning and will work
diligently to get all emails answered promptly. E-Mail; (oceanicbkplc_atmcustomercare@info.al)

As soon as payment is made do
send an email with the 10-Digit MTCN numbers so that we can proceed with
dispatching of your package without wasting time. Be rest assured that your $78
is the only payment you will have to make for the delivery of the ATM card and
nothing more.

BEST
REGARDS,
MR
PAUL ALX,
THE DIRECTOR ATM PAYMENT,
DEPARTMENT COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC WEST
AFRICA.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam