419 scam: "Benjamin Lee"<leebenjamin7@gmail.com> Our Commitment.2010/REPLYMYSTERY SHOPPER WANTED US$15,500PŒë¸"

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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:
- "deduct your 10%" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cheques " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
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.
- benjaminlee001@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Benjamin Lee" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benjaminlee001@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2010 18:05:20 +0200
Subject: Our Commitment.

Greetings,

My name is Benjamin Lee, I am an artist with my wife Paula Lee and we are the owners of Lee yun Gallery.
I am from Tibet and presently live in Hong Kong, with my two kids and the love of my life, my wife Paula.

I make original Sculptural Paintings and sell Limited Edition Prints. I create artwork that combines sculpture and
painting using sheets of wood,metal and glass to create depth. I fragment images into illusive shapes and paint
abstract compositions on the manipulated surface. I have been selling my art for the last 3 years and have had my
work featured on trading cards, prints and in magazines. I have sold in galleries and to private collectors from all
around the world. I am always facing serious difficulties when it comes to selling my art works to the U.S and
Europe,they are always offering to pay with cheques and money orders,which is difficult for me to cash here in
HongKong. It takes minimum of four weeks to clear our banks here as they are been treated as an out of country cheques.

I am looking for a representative in your country who will be working for me as a part time worker and I will be willing
to pay 10% for every transaction, which wouldn't affect your present state of work, someone who would help me receive
payments from my customers in your country. I mean someone that is responsible and reliable, cause the
cost of coming to your country and getting payments is very expensive, I am working on setting up a branch in the
there, so for now I need a representative who will be handling the payment aspect.

All the payments are in certified cheques and my customers will issue them (payments) in your name and send to you. So
all you need do is to take the cheques to your bank and cash them, then deduct your 10% and wire the balance back to me.
This business will not cost you any amount of money,my customers will send payments to you through registered mail
or courier company and the courier company will deliver the package to your doorstep as soon as you receive the package
from the courier company,just take these payments to your bank and have them cashed.

We are grateful for your attention.

If you are interested, please get back to me as soon as possible.We wish you good luck and happiness.

Friendly Regards,

Benjamin Lee.
Email:benjaminlee001@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam