419 scam: "Dr. Water J. Ofoma" <drwater4u2009@gmail.com> FROM THE DESK OF DR.WATER J. OFOMA

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "cotonou" (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.
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.
- +22997983584 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Water J. Ofoma" <drwater4u2009@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 02:35:12 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF DR.WATER J. OFOMA

FROM THE DESK OF DR.WATER J. OFOMA
BILL AND EXCHANGE MANAGER,
CONTINENTA BANK OF BENIN (CBB)
COTONOU BENIN REQULIC
PRIVATE TEL +229 979 83 584
DEAR GOOD FRIEND,

I AM THE MANAGER OF BILL AND EXCHANGE AT THE FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT CONTINENTA BANK OF BENIN (CBB). I CRAVE YOUR INDULGENCE AS I CONTACT YOU IN SUCH A SURPRISING MANNER. BUT I RESPECTFULLY INSIST YOU READ THIS LETTER CAREFULLY AS I AM OPTIMISTIC IT WILL OPEN DOOR FOR UNIMAGINABLE FINANCIAL REWARDS FOR BOTH OF US.

IN MY DEPARTMENT WE DISCOVERED AN ABANDONED SUM OF (£1.2M)ERUO ONLY,IN AN ACCOUNT THAT BELONGS TO ONE OF OUR FOREIGN CUSTOMER WHO DIED ALONG WITH HIS ENTIRE FAMILY IN A PLAN CRASH.

SINCE WE GOT INFORMATION ABOUT HIS DEATH,WE HAVE BEEN EXPECTING HIS NEST OF KIN TO COME OVER AND CLAIM HIS MONEY BECAUSE WE CANNOT RELEASE IT TO UNLESS SOMEBODY APPLIES FOR IT AS NEST OF KIN OR RELATION TO THE DECEASED AS INDICATED IN OUR BANKING GUIDELINES BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE LEARNT THAT ALL HIS SUPPOSED NEST OF KIN OR RELATION DIED ALONG WITH HIM AT THE PLAN CRASH LEAVING NOBODY BEHIND FOR THE CLAIM.

IT IS THEREFORE UPON THIS DISCOVERY THAT I NOW DECIDED TO MAKE THIS BUSINESS PROPOSAL TO YOU SO THAT THE MONEY COULD BE RELEASE TO YOU AS THE NEST OF KIN OR RELATION TO THE DECEASED FOR SAFETY AND SUBSEQUENT DISBURSEMENT SINCE NOBODY IS COMING FOR IT AND I DON'T WANT THIS MONEY TO GO INTO THE BANK TREASURY AS UNCLAIMED BILL.

THE BANKING LAW AND GUIDELINE HIRER STIPULATES THAT IF SUCH MONEY REMAINED UNCLAIMED AFTER EIGHT YEARS,THE MONEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED INTO THE BANK TREASURY AS UNCLAIMED FUND.

THE REQUEST FOR A FOREIGNER AS NEST OF KIN IN THIS BUSINESS IS OCCASIONED BY THE FACT THAT THE CUSTOMER WAS A FOREIGNER AND A BENINOISE CANNOT STAND AS NEST OF KIN TO A FOREIGNER.

YOU WILL STAND BY 30% OF THIS FUND WILL BE FOR YOU AS A FOREIGN PARTNER,IN RESPECT TO THE PROVISION OF A FOREIGN ACCOUNT.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,

DR.WATER J. OFOMA
CALL +229 979 83 584

Anti-fraud resources:

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