419 scam: "REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT"<info@letdoitbigandgreated.com> 18/07/2009

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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. )
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
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.
- +2348067491391 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <westernunionp007@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:45:07 +0100
Subject: 18/07/2009

Dear Sir,

Good day after the board meeting reconciliation program concerning all the beneficiaries that have not received their first payment in the western union program.
It was agreed that the only money you are to pay is $138Usd for the updating of your file so that you can pick up your $20,000Usd within 2hrs from now and the balance of $840,000usd within 3 days which will be sent to your bank account.

We are in the verge of conclusion of the file update which is the final process to enable us retrieve your file from IRD which contains the remaining information and the code with which you will us to receive your first payment of USD20,000 from any western union point close to you.

Below is your payment information you can check your payment online to see that your money is available for you,
1.) Amount: 8,000 USD
MTCN: 8527976917
Sender’s first name: Erika
Sender's last name: Boatang
2.) Amount: 8,000 USD
MTCN: 2928419034
Sender’s first name: Erika
Sender's last name: Boatang
(3.) Amount: 6,000 USD
MTCN: 9045297582
Sender’s first name: Steven
Sender's last name: walker
https://www.westernunion.com/ asp/orderStatus.asp? Country= global

Your file will be retrieved with $138.00 as it is a flat rate reconciliation program fee.
So I will advice that you get back to us so that I will direct you on how to send the money to enable our legal department go for retrieval of your file from IRD to enable us release the remaining information for you to receive your first payment of US$20,000.
As soon as you send the fee today you will pick up your first payment with in 4hours,
Get back to me for the information on how to send the required $138.00 fee.

Regards,

Rose George
International Remittance Department
+234 (806) 749 1391

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam