419 scam: MR MICHAEL FRANK <blarrys@bellsouth.net> ATTention FOR YOUR PAYMENT INFORMTION GET BACK TO US NOW

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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:
- "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. )
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- "western.union.money@live.fr" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- w.ubankplc@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: MR MICHAEL FRANK <blarrys@bellsouth.net>
Reply-To: western.union.money@live.fr
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:27:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: ATTention FOR YOUR PAYMENT INFORMTION GET BACK TO US NOW

Western Union Office
Federal Republic of Benin
email address:w.ubankplc@gmail.com
Attention

We appologize for our inability to inform you ealier of your inherited funds in our office which is meant to be transferred to you .The fund was deposited on your name by Benin Republic Senate House Committee on Foreign Payment Resolution to be delivered to you without any delay. The fund value is $1.5million united state dollar with personal codes.

Now your new Payment Reference No.-35460021, Allocation No: 674632, Password No : 339331 , Pin Code No: 55674 and your Certificate of Merit Payment No : 103 , Released Code No: 0763; Immediate Telex confirmation No: -1114433 ; Secret Code No: XXTN013. Having received these vital payment code number , therefore You are qualified now to received and confirm Your payment with the western union money transfer office in Benin Republic immediately within 24hrs .

However, there are three documents that will guide this fund transfer . These documents are needed to be signed here in Benin Republic by yourself before the fund will be released to you. But if you can not come down to our country to sign your documents due to your tight scheduled, our legal advisor, barrister Powel Gale can sign it on your behalf.

Bear it in mind that the Lawyer will demand sum of $5000.00 USD from you and this money are to be paid before anything will take place.In another development,if you can't afford this $5000.00USD; we can transfer sum of $8000.00USD into your credit card so that you can withdraw the $5000.00USD and send to the lawyer in order to sign the documents on your behalf for the release of your total $1.5 million united state dollar .After sending this $5000.00USD the fund will be released to you.

Now you are directed to contact the Head of Computer Credit/telex Dept immediately with this email address:(w.ubankplc@gmail.com) so that they will pay your $1.5million USD and send you the payment Copy Slip and also you should send your contact information and also your credit card number for reconfirmation in order to avoid transfer mistake.this information needed are:

Name in full----------------
Address---------------------
Country---------------------
Telephone number-----------
Credit card number information----------
Sex--------------------------
Age--------------------------
Occupation------------------
NOTE : if we find out that you are still dealing with all those fraudsters that have been be frustrating , we shall stop and cancel your payment immediately .
Best Regards
DR EDWIN M.MARKSON
Director western union office
(Federal Republic of Benin)
e-mail: w.ubankplc@gmail.com)
(western.union.money@live.fr )
THANKS FOR OUR PATRONAGE,
YOURS SINCERELLY
MR MICHAEL FRANK

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam