419 scam: Mark Hook <mark.hook56@yahoo.com.ph> URGENT AND VITAL

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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:
- "demurrages " (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. )
- "stamp duty" (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 united states 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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "fedexbeninltd21@live.com" (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.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22996758309 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Mark Hook <mark.hook56@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: fedexbeninltd21@live.com
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:34:52 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: URGENT AND VITAL

From Disk of Mrs. Juliana Gregory
Secretary to Dr. William Eze
Managing Director of Bank of Africa (BOA)

Dear Beneficiary,

Having review all the obstacles and problems surrounding the transfer of your Us$6.2Million and your inability to meet up with some charges levied against you due to the past transfer options, We the Board of Directors Bank Of Africa (BOA) has ordered our Foreign Payment Remittance Unit to issue out an ATM Debit Card where your payment will be uploaded and today, we got notice that your Payment has been uploaded into the ATM Debit Card and also have registered it with FedEx Courier Company for your information, the delivery charges has been paid and they supposed to have shipped your packaged ATM Card but they insisted that you must re-confirm to them your current delivery address to ensure accurate Delivery.

However below is your ATM Debit Card Details, you should not allow third party to gain access to this informationâ€™s, is for your ATM Card safety.

1) ATM Debit Card Number: 4278763100030014
2) Personal Identification Number is (2910)
3) ATM Card Value with the Us$6.2Million United States Dollars
4) You will be withdrawing the sum of us$15,000 on daily basis.

MOST IMPORTANT: Due to the content of the package, FedEx mandated that before your package will be shipped, A Tax/Stamp Duty MUST be procured according to the New Customs Creed and the essence of such Document is to ensure a hitch-free delivery and the amount is {Us$135.00} Therefore you shall pay only $135.00 before they delivery will take place, so reconfirm your current delivery address such as.

(1)Your Full name: ...................?
(2)Your direct Phone number: ...................?
(3)Your Residential address: ..................?
(3)Attach a copy of any of your identification: ...................?

Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director General of FedEx Courier Company Benin Republic, Rev. James Long with the above address.

FedEx Courier Company Benin Republic.
Contact Person: Rev. James Long, Director General
Tel: +229-9675-8309
Email: fedexbeninltd21@live.com

Please you have to contact them now as your package might incur demurrages if it stays more than 3days with FedEx and remember to get back to us once you receive your ATM Debit Card, we will be expecting your response.

Sincerely Yours
Mark Hook
Secretary

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam