419 scam: "Foreign Remittance $Bank Of America$" <officefile----2291@att.net> Pending Transfer Update.----

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "processing fee" (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. )
- "million 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)
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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 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.
- info.atmremittancedepartm@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Foreign Remittance $Bank Of America$" <officefile----2291@att.net>
Reply-To: info.atmremittancedepartm@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2011 03:43:58 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Pending Transfer Update.----

Kindly Attention,

This is to information you that the Bank Of America (BOA) Washington USA, have approved to settle the outstanding arrears of your over long payment. but meanwhile, before you can made any withdraw, you have to activate your account code and your withdrawing code below.

Below Is your Transfer Detail.

Date: 10/01/2011 --9:58 Am
Reference No: D3a63-5e02f-885e
Account Code: QW-21905-AZ
Withdrawing Code: SD-54645-CB
>From : Corresponded dollars account no: 46587921354
Country/Nearby.
Format: Standard Top World Bank
Issuing Bank: West Bank Clearing House WBCH
Current Status: Pending Transfer
Charges: $32
Additional Fee : Zero
Total Amount: One Million Dollars
Currency : USD
Interest: Zero (0.0%).

In order to be properly transferring your funds, you must forward this office your account details and pay the requested fee without any protest or delay. and if you wish to use this code to the bank of america. but before you can withdraw any amount from the said fund, you have to reactivate your account code and your withdrawing code frist.

Before you can withdraw any fund from the said fund, you have to activate your account code and your withdrawing, before you can be able to pickup your fund from bank of america, so kindly send us your full detail--- Full name ---- Telephone number. ---- Complete address. --- you have to activate your account code and the fee for the activation is $32. and you are require to send the fee to my name below View western union money transfer only. Processing of your transfer will begin immediately you pay for the processing fees of $32 by western union with the name below Informations:

Receives Name:--------Ifeanyi Chukwu John
Country:--------- Benin Republic
City/state:--------- Cotonou.
Question:--------- What Color?
Answer:-------- -Blue
Amount:--------- $32
MTCN:---------

As soon as you send the activation fee via western union, kindly forward me the payment details. Note that as soon as you send this money today, we will reactivate your account and forward you the pickup code and the new activation code. you can pickup your fund at any bank of america.

Do contact us only on this email: info.atmremittancedepartm@gmail.com
I strongly urge you to respond as soon as possible before the enforced deadline.
Waiting to hear from you soon.
Best regards,
Dr. Destiny Mike
Senior manager, Foreign Remittance (Bank Of America)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam