419 scam: "Mr. Innocent Eri" <jpaul.783@rediffmail.com> Attention: Email ID Owner,

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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:
- "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. )
- "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.
- +22999038191 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Innocent Eri" <jpaul.783@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: moneygram_m.transfer@globomail.com
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:36:43 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Attention: Email ID Owner,

ATTN:BENEFICIARY

12/11/2010

Attention:
Beneficiary,
=====================
Attention: Email ID Owner,

RE:
2010 SCAM VICTIM'S COMPENSATION FROM THE IMF BENIN.

The
International Monetary Fund (IMF) is compensating all the scam victims
and your email address was found in the scam victim's list.

I
have done every arrangement of tranferring your funds and your fund is
ready to be sent now, so you have to send the transfer charges, because
we tried to deduct the fee out from your fund but the minister
administrator trust fund of Benin Republic told us that no one has right
over your fund as it have been signed and stamped that no money should
be deducted until it gets to your hands for security purpose,

So it will cost sum of US$68.00 and this is the payment to send the
US$68.00 to be made to effect your payment of $5,000 twice daily until
the total sum of US$1Million is completely transferred to you.

Receiver's Name: Mr. Lawrence Chiadi Ozekwe

City:...........Cotonou
Country:........ Benin-Republic
Test Question:... send it
Answer:.......... Today
Amount........$68.00 only.

I await your response with the payment details to start this transfer immediately.

Thanks,
Mr. Innocent Eri
Director Money Gram® Money Transfer,

Head Office Benin Republic.
Tel; +229-9903-8191

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam