419 scam: "OFFICE FILE" <officeww@yahoo.com> I wish you good luck.

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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:
- "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. )
- "lagos" (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.
- western.unionoffi42@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "OFFICE FILE" <officeww@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: western.unionoffi42@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:07:57 -0400
Subject: I wish you good luck.

Attention:my friend

This is to notify you about the latest development concerning all the payments
that are left in our custody which yours are inclusive,besides your were given
a bill of $185.00 in order to receive your payment of which we didn’t hear
from you for sometime now.

Hence, our western union Head office is now offering a Special bonus to help
all our customers that are having their payment in our custody due to high
price of the $185. In order words we are now requesting that those involve
should pay only the sum of $75.00 to receive all their payment abandoned in
our custody.

Beside my dear, this is the opportunity for you to comply and have your funds
transfer to your designated address without any further delay.

Note that after (4 working DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will
divert your funds to Government Treasury,or we will cancel the payment for
this year because this year is not like last year.

Again after (4 DAYS ) We will enter A new project for the year and that is
the reason why we decided to help all our customers with their outstanding
payments before we enter into the new project.

Be advised to send the $75.00 immediately to enable us register your payment
and for you to start receiving your $10,000 immediately.

After the payment of $75 .00 you will start receiving your money every day
$10,000 by western union until your total fund of $2 .5Million U.S DOLLARS is
completely transferred to you.
Your advise to contact this department for your payment immediately you
receive this mail today.

Mr.Peterson Chukwu
Email:western.unionoffi42@hotmail.com

Send the $75 by western union Money Transfer with the information below,

Receiver's name== Uyaemesigo Fidelia
Address == Lagos-Nigeria.
Text Question== A
Answer== B
Amount=$75.

The moment we receive the payment of $ 75 we will release the first payment
information of $10.000.00, We are looking forward hearing from you soonest.

I wish you good luck.
Yours in service
MR Frank Farm

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam