419 scam: "Mr. Derrick Christopher" <christophermr.derrick@yahoo.com> BE VERY CAREFUL AT THIS TIME

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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.
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.
- us.govbenin@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Derrick Christopher" <christophermr.derrick@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: us.govbenin@sify.com
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:53:15 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: BE VERY CAREFUL AT THIS TIME

Attention: Beneficiary

This message is directly from the Desk of Secretary to the United Nations
We are writing to notify you that United Nations (UN) after series of
meetings for the past 2 months now which just ended on 11th of October
2009. This email is to all the people that have been victim in any part
of the world, the UNITED NATIONS IN Affiliation with WORLD BANK have
agreed to compensate you with the sum of US 1m, for self support. and
includes every foreign contractors that may have not received their
contract, inheritance & lotto sum, and people that have had an unfinished
transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government
problems etc. We found your name in the list of those who are to benefit
from these compensation exercise and that is why we contacted you.

We have made investigations in all African States & found out that you ve
not received anything since then as United Nation (UN) confirmed also.
Out of pity, United Nation have decided to write you, this have been
agreed by United Nation that you should come up for your bank draft ,
the sum of US 1m you are advised to contact our representative in Benin,
Mrs Leatha B Brown Ambassador of United States of America in Benin
Republic for your international bank draft to be delivery to you, This
funds are in a Bank Draft for security purpose, You are advised to stop
any further communication with your local representative or any officials,
department whom may call you or email concerning the draft what sum of
$1,000,000,00 Contact Mrs Leatha B Brown Ambassador of United States of
America in Benin Republic as soon as possible to know when your package
will gets to you because of the expiring date of the draft.

Contact Mrs. Leatha B Brown Ambassador of United States of America in
Benin Republic you should send her your full Name and telephone number
your correct mailing address and ID to avoid wrong delivery immediately so
that your Bank Draft will delivery to you. contact her at the given
address below:

Mrs. Leatha B Brown
American Embassy
01BP 2012 Cotonou Benin
Tel: 00 229 97 51 82 93
Tel. 22921 310 06 50
Fax: 22921 310 03 84
E-mail: us.govbenin@sify.com

Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hoping to hear from you as soon
as you cash your Bank Draft. Making the world a better place.

Regards,

Mr. Derrick Christopher
for United Nations (UN)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam