419 scam: "Dr Victor Michael," <jeerry_lewiseze88@yahoo.dk> FROM THE DESK OF; DR VICTOR MICHAEL, B.Sc [UNN] MNIM; MIc EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AN

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "consignment " (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "hundred thousand united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "afovernmentaprove@yahoo.in" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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: "Dr Victor Michael," <jeerry_lewiseze88@yahoo.dk>
Reply-To: afovernmentaprove@yahoo.in
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2011 12:47:30 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF; DR VICTOR MICHAEL, B.Sc [UNN] MNIM; MIc EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT, BEINI REPUBLIC?

FROM
THE DESK OF; DR VICTOR MICHAEL, B.Sc [UNN] MNIM; MIc EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT, BEINI REPUBLIC MINISTRY OF FINANCE (BMWH) MEMO; STRICTLY
CONFIDENTIAL.

Ant; My Dear,

We stopped the western union and courier companies to paying your fund via they
service because such amount of money have to covered with many certificates
before transferring it to you. Due to this problem we decide to use our
GOVERNMENT FEDEX COMPANY to delivery the fund as a consignment. This company
was approved by our Federal Government last two months ago, it is only company
confirmed from our Federal Government for any shipment here in BENIN Republic.



We approve this company because some companies and bank are using their service
to scam many other countries and at the end no transfer will delivery to the
customers.    And because of this reason we stop those payment,
I have registered your entire fund as consignment to this company, and they
required below information to enable their company diplomat agent locate you
once they get to your country.

Your Full Name;

Address Office and Home

Telephone Office and Home;

Nearest International Airport;

Picture

Age;

you can contact the Company with below information

On Attention Of; -----GOVERNOR DR. NGOSINE NWALIOBA

Email ;----( afovernmentaprove@yahoo.in)

Please charge $12,400.00us for their delivery fees but you will pay it after,
receiving and check the contents whether it complete your $9.5Millionusd (NINE
MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS )as all your payment here in
BENIN has stop and all was deposited with this company. But you required
sending them only $98.00us to enable them get approver from from Benin Federal
High Court. With this Federal Approver slip and stamp no Authority will hold
your consignment on the way of delivering to you as Government is working with
this approver and confirm company. Let me know once you hear from the company
and also make sure you contact them with the $98.00us so that your consignment
will get to you without any delay.

Regard

Dr Victor Michael,

Executive Director and principal accountant MINISTRY OF HOUSING, BENINREP
(BMWH) MEMO; STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam