419 scam: "Mrs Roseline Williams" <mrs_rose_williams16@yahoo.com.hk> Attn:Beneficiary,

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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. )
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
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.
- +22998954725 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs Roseline Williams" <mrs_rose_williams16@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: westernunion200@hosanna.net
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:18:49 +0100
Subject: Attn:Beneficiary,

--
Attn:Beneficiary,

Now we have arranged your payment of ($3.8Million) united state Dollars in
atm payment card to be sent to you through Western union money transfer
payment:your payment will send to you by western union, the amount you
will receiveper day is $5,000.

The ministry finance Benin Republic will send you the currently Standards
track details you need to pick up your($5,000 payment by western Union,
you will receive every day till you receive the $3.8Million united state
Dollars,now no need to send you this atm card because you can not be able
to Withdraw the atm card due to the atm master card contain large moneyon
it.

The director of ministry finance has already signed your payment, Now you
are free to comply with western union payment office on this email: (
westernunion200@hosanna.net) however, kindly contact the below person who
is in position to release your payment by western union per $5,000 a day.

REV,FREDRIC MOUKA,
Western Union Department
Oceanic Bank Benin,
Mobile: +229-98-95-47-25.
E-mail :( westernunion200@hosanna.net)

The western union payment canter has been mandated to issue out your
Payment and you have to stop any further communication with any other
person(s) Or office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment,

note that the administrator payment need this details from you to process
your Payment:
(1) FULL NAME __________
(2)ADDRESS____________
(3)COUNTRY____________
(4)PRIVATE TEL_________
(5)PRIVATE FAX___________
(6)OCCUPATION___________
(7)AGE_________________
(8)A COPY OF YOUR ID IF ANY________

Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to
REV.FREDRIC MOUKA,
He will start sending your payment by western union.
Regards,
Mrs Roseline Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam