419 scam: =?UTF-8?Q?=68=77=6F=20=77=65=20=74=72=75=73=74=20=61=6E=73=77=65=72?= <mrsvivianmartin1@walla.com> =?UTF-8?Q?=57=68=61=74=20=69=73=20=67=6F=69=6E=67=20=6F=6E=2C=20=77=68=6F=20=69

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "waiting for your urgent response" (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.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: =?UTF-8?Q?=68=77=6F=20=77=65=20=74=72=75=73=74=20=61=6E=73=77=65=72?= <mrsvivianmartin1@walla.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2011 17:55:24 +0200
Subject: =?UTF-8?Q?=57=68=61=74=20=69=73=20=67=6F=69=6E=67=20=6F=6E=2C=20=77=68=6F=20=69=73=20=4D=72=2E=47=61=72=79=20=52=75=64=65=20=48=61=72=6C=6F=77=3F?=

What is going on, who is Mr.Gary Rude Harlow?

Dear,Friend,

I was trying to get you on phone regarding your $3.500.000 USD but it seems as you don't want to speak with me. However, this Gary visited my office on Wednesday 7, April, 2011 with a Beninios lawyer and application of claim over your $3.500.000 USD with this financial institution.

Please, do confirm to me, as matter of urgency if this man is really from you so that this office will not be held responsible for paying wrong person.

Based on board of directors meeting today, they have concluded to approve the payment on his favor since you failed to fulfill the obligation given to you by the MONEY GRAM to process your payment. Therefore, if you are really serious and willing to receive the first $4500.00 through Money Gram , kindly get back to me and I will work with you to complete the Money Gram payment processing fees so that you will start receiving USD$4500.00 everyday.

Since MONEY GRAM Payment processing fee is $150 in my concerted efforts to actualize your fund payment with the convenient time schedule I will raise $50, so I am expecting $100 from you today.

As an insider in this Financial Institution, I must assure you that once you have provided to the Bank with their demands, they would now be under legal obligation to transfer the funds to you within 1hours we confirm this $100. you must receive the first $4500 within 1hours after you send this $100.
Kindly make the payment to:

1. RECEIVER NAME======= Obiorah Victor,
2. COUNTRY=====COTONOU_BENIN REPUBLIC.
3. QUESTION======= it is good to be good
4. ANSWER======Yes
5. AMOUNT======US$100.00

I will like you to co-operate with me to retrieve this legacy payment left behind than allowing the government of this country to forfeit it. I believed it is a life time opportunity which every reasonable human-being will never allow to slip by. We do business each day with an absolute commitment to ethics, honesty and credibility.

Am waiting for your urgent response.
Mrs. Vivian Martin,
moneygramoffice01@imail.com
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
moneygramoffice01@imail.com

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