419 scam: Mr Ben Akaugo <westernunion5801@sify.com> Check The Status Of The Transfe USD$160, 000. 00 CERTIFIED FUNDS:

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "required fee " (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. )
- "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. )
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
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 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.
- westernunionhob@sify.com (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Ben Akaugo <westernunion5801@sify.com>
Reply-To: westernunionhob@sify.com
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:19:08 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Check The Status Of The Transfe USD$160, 000. 00 CERTIFIED FUNDS:

FOREIGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE.
Director Name. Dr Eddy Benson,
Email:westernunionhob@sify.com

Attn: Client,

The management and control of all finances of the Government as prescribed by the constitution of the country is the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance to handle all foreign arias/debts. The Board of Federal Ministry of Finance Benin Republic. are here to notify you of your payment inherited funds of ($800,000,00) After the meeting held on 19th of Feb 2010. His Excellence.

has instructed Department to compensate all foreign arias/debts.whichs those that had problem with the fraud stars in this Benin Repoblic with the 20% of the contrct amount which is sum of $160.000.00 due to you are many that have the same problem with those scam people in Benin here.

Also instructed Department to send the $160.000.00 to you through western union money transfer for easier receive of your inherited funds without any further delay to avoid those fraud stars that going on through courier. note that every arrangement concerning the transfer has been conculded with Western Union Office BENIN REPOBLIC,

So all you need now is to contact the Western Union Agent immediately you receive this message with your full adress and remember that the maximum amount you will be receiving each bless day through western union is sum of $4500.00.till the total $160.000.00 compensation payment completed.

They also requires transfer charge the sum of $127.00 dollar, for the re-newing and reconfirming your file that has been deposited in their office with your name and address. so all you need is to contact them with transfer charge sum $127.00 together with your information.

This is how you should list your information bellow;

Beneficiary name------------------
Address---------------------------
Tel phone-------------------------
Text question---------------------
And Answer------------------------

here is their contact information;
Director Name. Dr Eddy Benson,
Email adress westernunionhob@sify.com

Note that as soon as the required fee of $127.00 is send today for the renewing
reconfirming the payment file of your funds you will start receiving your
funds as from today even or tomorrow.

So all you need is to contact them and ask them to give you adress to send the reguired $127.00 today and remember to get back to us immediately you received your first payment so that we can be aware that you have started receiving your funds.

But incase of mistake please if you are not the real beneficiary don't respond to this message.

Yours in service
Ben Akaugo
Finance Minister
Federal Republic of Benin.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam