419 scam: "Mr.MARK JOHNSON" <markjhnsn28@gmail.com> WELCOME TO BANK PHB ATM DEPARTMENT BENIN REPUBLIC

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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:

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:
- "activation 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. )
- "processing 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. )
- "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.
- +22998469993 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- atmmastercard174@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.MARK JOHNSON" <markjhnsn28@gmail.com>
Reply-To: atmmastercard174@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 09:13:49 +0100 (BST)
Subject: WELCOME TO BANK PHB ATM DEPARTMENT BENIN REPUBLIC

                                               BANK ATM PAYMENT CENTER

BANK PHB ; Heights PLOT 136, NORTH BRIDGE ,SE 19 NL COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC.
Enquiry office; atmmastercard174@yahoo.com.hk

Dear Customer;

WELCOME TO BANK PHB ATM DEPARTMENT BENIN REPUBLIC

We are hereby to acknowledged the receipt of detail Regards   Your ATM CARD which Mr.MARK JOHNSON REGISTER YOUR ATM CARD IN OUR BANK,

Your total fund Are uploaded into an ATM MASTER CARD   which you can use to withdraw your cash in any ATM MACHINE in the world, the Amount you shall withdraw each day are $1,500 OK,

We shall open ATM CARD account But only thing we shall need from you after we open the account and uploaded your fund into ATM VISA CARD , We need to activation your ATM VISA CARD account and processing fee so that we can Crate your ATM VISA CARD PIN CODE to you which cost $100 OK, Your ATM VISA CARD condoct code is (ATM-0411) ,

So you can send the $100 with this Information below, your ATM CARD will be deliver through DHL and we have finish all the Arrangement , so you don`t need to pay for DHL delivery charges because we are to handle that OK, the DHL Delivery of your ATM CARD are to get to your home with in 2days because it was express Delivery, so all you need is to send this $3100 for your ATM CARD account activation and processing fee OK,

Receiver Name :   EDWIN OBALIMU
Country of origin : Cotonou Benin Republic.
City : Cotonou.
Question.... Trust?
Answer......God
ATM CARD processing Fee and Atm Card Account Activation fee Amount----$100

Immediately you made the payment then send the western union payment info's to us via this email such as mtcn control numbers as well as Sender Name,

  PAYMENT WITH ATM/DEBIT CARD AT ANY INTER-SWITCH ATM MACHINE

Use any ATM machine closest to you in your country to withdraw your payment From the card... Irrespective of the issuing bank, as long as your card is on the Inter-switch network (check the back of the card for the Inter-switch logo


To Take money with your ATM Debit Card or your ATM MASTER, simply slot your Card into the ATM machine, select FUND CASH-CARD, then type in the amount, then select either CURRENT or SAVINGS as appropriate, and enter your Card Pin number. Don`t use the Card without Receiving your Card pin code,

Alternatively, if you are a Cash-card holder, you can log in to Cash Card's InternetPortal and perform an instant transfer to your Card.


If you have any questions never delay to call us on   +229-98-469-993

Please note that the normal ATM Transaction Fees Apply.
                                            Always remember to get and keep the receipt from the ATM machine.


REV. OBI FRANK ,
    FOREIGN OPERATING ATM PAYMENT OFFICER
ATM CBANK BENIN REPUBLIC
PHONE +229-97934337

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam