419 scam: Abuil Mui <mrbodetanko22@att.net> Attention, Attention,, Attention.

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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "million 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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (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.
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.
- fedexcourier_service@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Abuil Mui <mrbodetanko22@att.net>
Reply-To: fedexcourier_service@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 04:25:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Attention, Attention,, Attention.

FedEx

Head Office Plot 8,Ahmed Way,

Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria.

Attention, Attention,, Attention.

We wish to inform you that we have undeliverable, a parcel in your name. The parcel was returned undelivered due to incorrect address to our office in Nigeria. FedEx courier Service Company is hereby passing an essential message to all our valuable customers to be very careful while presenting their receivers residential address to avoid wrong delivery.

This is to notify you that your parcel is still in our possession, this parcel contains an International Cashier Bank Draft/Cheque, worth sum of $2 Million dollars only, and it is ready for delivery to your door step. Meanwhile, before the delivery or shipment will take place, you are adviced to send to us the following data:

1.Correct E-mailing address

2.Cell Telephone #....

The above requested information will enable us deliver your parcel correctly without any mistake or delivery of your parcel to a wrong person.

Meanwhile, remember that the sender of this parcel to you, the fiduciary agent, still owes this company the sum of $180 before occurrence of this incidence. FedEx has spent out of their incomes in the process, by recovery back of your parcel. So, dear customer we once again appreciate your patronage in our favor. You are to pay the balance left by your sender since we have lost his contact. This is to enable delivery of your parcel to your residential address before it accumulate a demur rage after one week only, as you know your parcel is not just an ordinary parcel but with a huge amount and I think you understand what I mean by accumulating a demur rage? Which you will not allow to happen to your recovered parcel.

The outstanding payment of $180 should be wired to our accounts officer, via either money gram or western union money transfer using the following information:

Receiver Name: UMOLE UKPEH

Receiver Location: Lagos-Nigeria

Text Question: Color

Text Answer: Purple

After charge has been wired, you are to email us the following info to the account office email, so that money can be picked up and your packaged couriered immediately: Senders name and MTCN. The account office email is fedexcourier_service@hotmail.com

We assure you that your parcel will arrive at your country in two days time and it will get to your door step the third day as soon as FedEx receives the balance left by your sender, the tracking number of your parcel will be sent to you via e-mail immediately, to enable you track it yourself to see your parcel coming on the way and you will also know when it will arrive at your country because we operate in trust and loyalty in your favor.

Yours faithfully.

Abuil Mui.

FEDEX COURIER MANAGING DIRECTOR

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam