419 scam: "Mr. Phillip Ezeson" <agati9062@yahoo.co.jp> 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:
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +22966168854 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Phillip Ezeson" <agati9062@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. Phillip Ezeson" <moneygrambenin@qq.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2015 00:26:41 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention,

ROBERT ODEN LAW OFFICE,
Address 01 BP 4959, Cotonou, Benin
Phone (229) 66168854
Fax (229) 21 31 65 87

Attention,

I am a personal Representative to Late Mr. Peter,a national of your country, and the chief executive officer of his own Company here in Benin Republic West Africa.On the 27th of May 2011, my client lost his life as a result of Brain cancer, as confirmed by a medical specialist who was taking care of his illness for over six months before his death. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved Unsuccessful.After his death, I discovered that the Ministry of public works Benin (MTPT) is owing the sum of (Ten Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollar) US$18,800,000.00 to my client for a contract he executed for the Ministry before his death.

I want you to help me get the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated by the Ministry here. As the attorney to the deceased, I received a letter from the Ministry , they want me to provide his next of kin or have the debt confiscated.

I seek your consent To present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you share the same sur name so that the contract sum can be paid to you for sharing between us 50% / 50% each.All Necessary legal documents that can be used to back up the claim will be procured. Your honest cooperation is required to enable us seeing the Deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Best Regards
Barrister Robert Oden. Esq.
+22966168854

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam