419 scam: "WEST AFRICAN MONETARY INSTITUTE $WAMI$" <innocent.ann@btinternet.com> WEST AFRICAN MONETARY INSTITUTE (WAMI)

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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:

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:
- "activation 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. )
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- +22993013191 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "WEST AFRICAN MONETARY INSTITUTE $WAMI$" <innocent.ann@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: fedexcourier@tk.tc
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:17:30 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: WEST AFRICAN MONETARY INSTITUTE (WAMI)

WEST AFRICAN MONETARY INSTITUTE (WAMI)

Branch Office
Complex 6, carre 3452 GRA Avenue Akpakpa
Fax:+229-930-131-91
COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC.
Ref. CTS/D975/754/T6

Re:Immediate ATM DEBIT Cash Card Payment Notification

Congrats: ,

This is to bring to your notice that, I have paid the re-activation fee and the delivery of your ATM.I paid it because the ATM-0451 $1.5m USD,has less three days to expire and when it expires,the money will divert and forfeited into Government purse (account).With that I decided to help you pay the money so that,the ATM will not expire,because I know when you get your ATM definitely you must pay me back my money and even compensate me for helping you. Now i want you to contact Fedex Express with your Full Contact informations so that they can deliver your Card to your designated address without any delay.

Like i stated earlier, The delivery charges has been paid but i did not pay their official keeping fees and because of lack of enough money due to apparent domestic problem.They told me that their keeping fees is $185 per day and i deposited it today this week.Below is their Contact Informations,Contact Person: DR. Alphrad Bituma. FedEX Express Courier Service Email:(fedexcourier@tk.tc)

Contact them Today to avoid increase of their keeping fees and let me know once you receive your Card. Finally, make sure that you reconfirm your Postal address and Direct telephone number to them again to avoid any mistake on the Delivery and ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your package over there and know when it will get to your address.

Let me repeat again, try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their OFFICIAL Keeping fee of $185 US Dollars for their immediate action today to avoid the increament per a day.

Please make sure you send this needed infomation to the Director general of FedEx Express Delivery Company Ltd REV. Dr. David Sam. with the address given to you.Note.The FedEx Express Delivery COMPANY Ltd don't know the contents of the Box.

I registered it as a Box of an jewlerys They don't know it contents valuable atm card. this is to avoid them delaying with the Box. don't let them know that is money that is in that Box.

I am waiting for your urgent response. You can even call the Director REV. Dr. David Sam with this line +229 930-131-91.
SHIPMENT CODE AWB 33XZS
PACKAGE REGISTERED CODE NO XGT449.
SECURITY CODE SCTC/2009FDXeX/562326/
TRANSACTION CODE 233/CSTC/101/33028/
CERTIFICATE DEPOSIT CODE SCTC/BUN/xxiv/-78/01.

Yours Faithful,

Mr Frank Kama
PAYMENT OFFICER.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam