419 scam: "DR. LUKE WATER" <dr.jerryleo@hotmail.com> Releasing Of Your Total Funds Worth Of (USD$1.5 M)

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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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
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.
- +22998277105 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "DR. LUKE WATER" <dr.jerryleo@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: offinancefederaministry@yahoo.com.mx
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 13:18:52 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Releasing Of Your Total Funds Worth Of (USD$1.5 M)

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
ECONOMIC AND DEBT REFORM DEPARTMENT.
WORLD BANK READ, COTONOU ,BENIN REPUBLIC
ARRANGEMENT/AGREEMENT
(Civil Procedure) (F.H.C.B)

Bonanza From Ministry of Finance Benin Republic

Releasing Of Your Total Funds Worth Of (USD$1.5 M)

ATTENTION:

Please i want to inform you that your fund was brought to my desk this Morning because the director of WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER said that they should divert your fund to the government treasury account just because that you can not pay the transfer fee, As result of the information we got i told them to wait until i hear from you today so that i will know the reason why you rejected such amount of money $1.5M USD which is your over due inheritance payment just because of transfer fee.

But the reason why i sent you this email now is that you still have the chance to claim your fund if you could send the $175 today because i have already arranged the special courier company which will deliver your fund to your address within 24hours with your tracking number to see when it is coming to you but failing to do this, they will have power over your fund by FRIDAY morning and am very sorry if you failed as this is the last chance .

Please here is the western union information in the name of my messenger to avoid delay in receiving your fund and remember that i have done my best for you and i will make sure that your fund get to your hand next tomorrow.

Receivers Name:...Mr. Nnatuanya Chinedu
Country/.. Benin-Republic
City address is Cotonou
Test Question:.. How Long?
Answer :.. Soonest
Amount: ...$175.
MTCN NUMBER....

Send it to me for easy collection, the MTCN control number, amount sent, name and address of sender

Thanks
DR LUKE WATER

>From Minister Of Finance,
Federal Republic of Benin.
Telephone +229 98277105

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam