419 scam: "Rev.Steven Joshua"<servicesinformation496@gmail.com> Attention.My Dear Beneficiary-

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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. )
- "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.
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.
- +22997276811 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- westernunionmoneytransfer@centrum.cz (Centrum; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- in service tel+229-97-276-811 e-mail. westernunionmoneytransfer@centrum.cz e-mail.xxcentral@linuxmail.org director (rev.steven (Centrum; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Rev.Steven Joshua" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <xxcentral@linuxmail.org>
Date: Sat, 25 Dec 2010 04:30:16 +0100
Subject: Attention.My Dear Beneficiary-

Attention.My Dear Beneficiary-

Welcome you from Western Union Money Transfer Head office Benin Republic,we are using this medium to update you of the New Development and Resolution that was passed today,with All the Country representive here in Benin Republic included the UN Secretary General,This is to notify you about the latest development concerning your payments total sum of $2, 800, 000, 00, which left into our custody, beside, this is the opportunity for you to comply and have your funds transfer into your designated address without any further delay.

I just want to inform you that we Western Union Headquarter Benin Republic has been giving bonus for all our customes their name listed reference and your among,the purpose of this bonus is to use it help all people fall into victms,meanwhile,you will going to send total amount of $244,to enable us use it renew your Affidavet of Claim Certificate,before starting sending the money for you,since we started this transaction, I would like to be truthful to you and also remain truthful until we get to where we are going.

For more than 150 years, the familiar signs of Western Union have stood as a trusted symbol for connecting friends, family and businesses around the world.Known today as an innovator in financial services,The Western Union Company has become an industry leader in global money transfer with over 410,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and territories.From the roots of our signature telegram business,we expanded and evolved our services in 1871 to offer electronic money transfer.Today,Western Union offers money order, money transfer, payment and prepaid services.While the telegram is a memory,we continue a long history of connecting people around the corner and around the globe with financial services that are fast, reliable and convenient.

Further more, you need to send total sum of $244,00,to use it pursuing your fund release MTCN,because,all the Control numbers information,which you would be using to picking all your fund has been registered reference,If you calculate what we have putting in will know that you have gone too far to quit, After the payment sum of $244.00,you will start receiving your money every minutes or hours of your choice, $4,500 by western union until your total finished.More notification,you needed to fill reference form.avoid releasing the paper into the wrong hands.

Your Full Name____
Your Full Address____
Tel________
Country_____
State_______
Zip Code____

Because,according to our record,once the paper have release,you can pick as many of your wish per a day,Below all the MTCN Control Numbers,under our listed table,only waiting to confirm your own total sum of $244,for fund release,before we would starting proceed on your part.So if you want to follows amoung the people that would going to receive their fund,as your name attached amoung into the liste,go ahead now and send $7244 to enable us use it obtain your Affidavet of Claim and then starting release your fund.Send the $244 by western union Money Transfer with the information below,

Receiver's name_____Mr,Peter Oba
Country______Benin Republic.
City_______Cotonou
Text Question______Urgent
Answer______Bonus
Amount______$244.

The moment we receive the payment of $244 we will forward you the paper to be picking up your fund one by one, $4,500.00,each MTCN, we are looking forward to hearing from you soonest.

I wish you good luck.
Yours in service
Tel+229-97-276-811
E-mail. westernunionmoneytransfer@centrum.cz
E-mail.xxcentral@linuxmail.org
Director (Rev.Steven Joshua,officer in charge!!!

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What can you do when you receive 419 spam