419 scam: Michael Brandon <officeservices88@gmail.com> Attention! Attention! Attention!

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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
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.

Fraud email example:

From: Michael Brandon <officeservices88@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Michael Brandon <mb33959@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2015 06:54:04 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention! Attention! Attention!

Attention! Attention! Attention!

I wish to officially notify you that the release process has been completed and the authorization to release your US$950,000.00 has been duly obtained. As I speak with you right now, we are in possession of the UN release authorization from the New York Bureau confirming your details as the rightful beneficiary. Meanwhile hence you have indicated to receive your fund through ATM Visa Card we will process the Card in your name under 24 hours of the day and also have it delivered to your address as reconfirmed to us in this email but it will cost you sum of US$590 only for the process and the delivery charges.

However for we to commence on this process you are required to pay the US$590 for the final Anti terrorist clearance paperwork inline with US Patriot Act and payment for the final attestation and the handling charges payable to the US Department of Homeland Security so that you can get your funds at once via ATM Visa Card payment as you have indicated without any delay . The clearance process would be completed in 6 hours and you get your ATM Visa Card the next moment within 48 working hours.

Please do not fail to get back to me as soon as possible and comply so that the transaction can be completed as scheduled. You are required to wire the US$590 via Western union or money gram direct to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent in Spokane Valley, Washington. USA that will help you get the final clearance paperwork for a successfully transaction.

Receiver Kenneth Callaway
Home Address *407 valley ave ne #u204
Country: U.S.A
City: Puyallup
State: Washington State
Test Q: to whom
Answer: Ken

Yours Faithfully,

Michael Brandon
Office of the Financial Attaché (Embassy Protocol)
2124 Kalorama Road, NW Washington, D.C. 20008

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam