419 scam: "MR.JACKSON IGWE" <office-file--1000@att.net> BONUS FROM WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN,

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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)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
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.

Fraud email example:

From: "MR.JACKSON IGWE" <office-file--1000@att.net>
Reply-To: westernunion_custome@globomail.com
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 00:02:47 -0800 (PST)
Subject: BONUS FROM WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN,

ATTN BENEFICIARY:

BONUS FROM WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN,

HELLO MY GOOD FRIEND I JUST WANT TO INFORM YOU NOW THAT THE ONLY MONEY YOU HAVE PAY NOW IS $49 WE GIVE BONUS OF $5000 TO HELP ALL OF OUR CUSTOMER TO MAKE ALL OUR COSTUMER RECEIVE THERE FUND ,SO IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE YOUR FUND GO AHEAD NOW AND SEND ONLY $49 TO ENABLE US RELEASE YOUR FIST PAYMENT OF $5000 TO YOU AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE THIS EMAIL, THE BONUS WILL LAST ONLY THIS WEEK AFTER NEXT WEEK ALL THE PAYMENT WILL BE CANCEL, SO PLEASE CONTACT US WITH THIS EMAIL (westernunion_custome@globomail.com) SEND THE PAYMENT TO THIS EMAIL, AGAIN MY DEAR CUSTOMER AS SOON AS GIVE YOU THE MTCN NUMBER FOR THE $5000USD IMMEDIATELY OR SEND IT THROUGH EMAIL OK,

HERE IS THE INFORMATION TO USE AND SEND THE MONEY OK.

RECEIVER NAME:::::::::MR AKWOBI .P. CHUKWUEMEKA
COUNTRY CITY::::::::::COTONOU
COUNTRY:::::::::::::::BENIN REPUBLIC
TEST QUESTION:::::::::PAYMENT
TEST ANSWER:::::::::::TODAY
AMOUNT::::::::::::::::$49US ONLY

NOTE THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR PAYMENT NEEDS THESE DETAILS FROM YOU TO PROCESS YOUR PAYMENT:

RECEIVER NAME=========
COUNTRY=============
CITY================
TEL================
TEST QUESTION-=========
ANSWER=============

COMPLY NOW BECAUSE AS SOON AS YOU SENT THIS REQUIRED DETAILS TO MINISTER OF FINANCIAL,FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN.FORGE CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE.

THANKS SO MUCH MY DEAR CUSTOMER.
MR.JACKSON IGWE

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam