419 scam: TEXAS-USA FOREIGN OPERATIONS <officefile.file37@gmail.com> RE: FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPT TEXAS-USA/ 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:
- "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. )
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "vat (5%)" (VAT rate in the UK is 17.5%, check the math)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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: TEXAS-USA FOREIGN OPERATIONS <officefile.file37@gmail.com>
Reply-To: unitedcargosecurityorg@qatar.io
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:07:10 +0100 (BST)
Subject: RE: FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPT TEXAS-USA/ BENIN

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FROM THE
DESK OF TANYA GUTHRIE
VERIFICATION OFFICER
CONTRACT/INHERITANCE
FOREIGN OPERATIONS
DEPT,
TEXAS.
USA/
BENIN
unitedcargosecurityorg@qatar.io

Attn: .


I am Tanya Guthrie (Mrs), the verification officer in-charge of
your inheritance file. A scan copy of my Identification is attached to this
confirmation email for authentication as many hoodlumps are exploiting our name
and company for fraudulent activities. Please do not respond to such unsolicited
email without verification from this office, inview of this you are being given
a code of contact to which you should only comply to,which is; REF:Cheque 7997.
This will be included in all our emails that will be sent to you as regards
your Cashier`s Cheque payment, thus any email without this code of conduct
should be considered as fraudulent and not from this office. Therefore to avoid
complication, you are to forward such emails to us.

We are pleased to inform you that we have concluded with the
verification of your data today and therefore your Cashier`s
Cheque is ready for dispatch.

NOTE that your Cashier`s Cheque number
is 7997, please keep this safe for security reasons.

Hence, we have concluded delivery arrangement with all COURIER
SERVICES, Courier Company to be fully insured by National
Insurance Corporation.

As our policy, you have to be soly responsible for the delivery
charges as the United State Inheritance Committee will not be responsible for
the shipment of this card that has been credicted to you as the sole
beneficiary.

In view of this development, you are requested to choose from the
options listed below your choice and cost of delivery. Note that the amount
inside the Cashier`s Chequeis $2.5,000.000.00 United State
Dollars.

You have to remit the necessary shipment/ delivery charges to
enable us effect this proceedings.

DHL (2working days)

Mailing

$150

Insurance

$200

Vat (5%)

$10

TOTAL

$360



FedEx (3working days)

Mailing

$100

Insurance

$200

Vat

$20

TOTAL

$320

RED COURIER SERVICES LTD(3DAYS)

Mailing &n bsp

$ 180

Insurance

$160.00

Vat

$50

TOTAL

$400.

Please confirm if you can be able to take this cost so that I can know
how to proceed, and please be informed that delivery will be made to your
address after payment for the cost of delivery..

And once you have choose your choice, kindly go to any western
union close to you and send the delivering charges immediately
with below information.

Receiver's name:____ Ndive Stephen.
Country:_____ Benin
City:_____ Cotonou
Text Question:______ What for?
Answer:_____ Delivery.

Indicate your choice of delivery and update this office once you have
send the money for urgent deliver of your Cashier`s
Cheque to your country.

Also the delivery fee receipt will be to attach to your parcel to avoid
being delayed by customs.
Treat very urgently as we also remind you that your
Cashier`s Cheque is ready.

Congratulations.

Warm Regards,

Mrs. Tanya Guthrie

Verification Officer Contract/Inheritance
Foreign Operation Department,
Texas, USA./BENIN REPUBLIC DU
COTONOU.
unitedcargosecurityorg@qatar.io

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam