419 scam: "Mrs.Ode Blessing Uba." <mrsodebless@gmail.com> From Mrs.Ode Blessing Uba.

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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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 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.
- +229986672111 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Ode Blessing Uba." <mrsodebless@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsannben02@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:25:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Mrs.Ode Blessing Uba.

Hello how are you today together with your family,I know that all is well, if so thanks be to almighty God the creator.
We are to inform you that your Payment Inheritance fund which you been struggling for since till now has been approved by the federal Government Benin Republic.
The Chambers of the Government who are elected to schedule the Inheritance of your fund has already made an arrangement with us Concern your fund which is deposited here in this Office.I write to inform you that we have already sent you USD4000.00 dollars through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of USD900, 000.00 via western union by this government.
Hurry up now because we have so many customers at hand here.I tried reaching you through telephone to give me your correct information through phone but I could,nt find your phone number on my file throughout that yesterday and even this morning.Now, I decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you will pick up this USD4000.00 to enable Mr.Sam Uka to send another USD4000.00 today as you know we will be sending you only USD4000.00 per day.Do things Urgent because have about four customers here waiting?
Please pick up this information and run to western union to pick up the USD4000.00 and call Mr.Sam Uka back to send you another payment today,His directly phone line is +229-986-67-2111, Director Manager Mr.Sam Uka or Mrs. Rita Dennis.Email :( western.unionb@av.tc call or email Mr.Sam once you Picked up this USD4000.00 today.
Here is the information which you will use to pick up your first set of $4,000.00 You can login to western union website with this link to check out your transfer
https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global

Money Transfer Control Number (M.T.C.N): 0593079441
Senders First Name:Jerry
Senders Last Name:Davis
Text Question:Transfer?
Answer:charges.
Amount: USD 4000.00

call Mr.Sam Uka once you pick up this USD4000.00,and email him through the below email:( western.unionb@av.tc /phone line is +229-986-67-2111,
Please email him your direct telephone number because he needs to be calling you once we send any payment for the information.
Thanks
Mrs.Ode Blessing Uba.
Ministry finance head office

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam