419 scam: "Mr. Raymond Grubbs" <hr@mail.yamoffice.yam.com> From Finance Minister. Contact the Accredited Western Union Agent

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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:
- "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. )
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 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.
- +22998305517 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Raymond Grubbs" <hr@mail.yamoffice.yam.com>
Reply-To: <skyfast_chinedu@voila.fr>
Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:49:53 +1100
Subject: From Finance Minister. Contact the Accredited Western Union Agent

Attention Beneficiary:

We have concluded arrangements to effect your payment of $1,500.000.00 USD through Western Union Swift Money transfer services today, but the maximum amount you will be receiving every day starting from tomorrow is $5,000.00 daily until your funds is completely transferred.
This special arrangement is being used to avoid all scrupulous demands by both the states and federal authorities that have previously delayed your payment till date; we shall need your maximum co-operation to ensure that strictness and confidence is maintained to avoid any further delays.
Please contact the Accredited Western Union Agent for the details of your first payment of $5,000 USD and reconfirmation your correct details that you will like the first transfer to be program with such as Receivers Name, destination where you will like the transfer to be send to and your cell phone number for urgent communication if the need arise, so Contact Foreign Operation Manager western union Eng. Andin Bruce, for re-newal your old payment file and He will also send you M.T.C.N/CODE for your pick up your first $5000.00 with info as other as follow until your total $1,500.000.00 USD is completed transfer for you.
Contact: En. Andin Bruce,
E-mail (skyfast_chinedu@voila.fr)
Phone: 00229-98305517
Thanks and God Bless You,
Mr. Raymond Grubbs, From Finance Minister. Contact the Accredited Western Union Agent

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam