419 scam: "Dr. John Smith" <embassy@yahoo.com> ATTENTION BENEFICIARY:

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "are expected to pay " (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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "b_embassy@ymail.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.
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: "Dr. John Smith" <embassy@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: b_embassy@ymail.com
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:28:31 +0100 (CET)
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY:

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington , DC 2052

Greeting from USA Embassy,
THIS MAIL IS ONLY FOR THE OWNER OF THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS

ATTENTION BENEFICIARY:
This is to notify you that your consignment has been in our custody
waiting for your comply before the delivery will be effected to your
delivery address. We have been waiting for you to contact us regarding
your consignment box which Courier Company suppose to deliver to you which
was on hold by US Department of State Bureau and requesting for clearance
certificate which will be obtain from the origination of the consignment
box before it will be released. As a result of you not comply within
duration given by Benin Government that is the reason the consignment box
was diverted to treasury.

All the walfare of United States Citizen is my consine. Am here to take
the protocol After the meeting held by our board of director which was
concluded that the delivery of your consignment box will take place
immidiately you contact us

Note that your consignment box has been arrived in US embassy and waiting
to receive clearance certificate before the gate pass is given. Mean while
you are advice to reconfirm the below information upon contacting us to
avoid delivery to wrong person.

1, Your full name
2, Your home address
3, Your occupation
4, Your Telephone Number
Once you notify us with the above information we will release your
consignment to you,

Contact the Embassy Office Direct with the payment information for
following information Below,
Contact person, Mr John Smith
Phone (+229) 993 00 456
Email (b_embassy@ymail.com)

Note that you are expected to pay only $105 for clearance certificate and
you are to pay it to Benin Republic as the origination of the consignment
box in favour of Mr LAWRENCE OBI as our accountant officer in Benin
Republic Send the $105 through western union money transfer once you
receive this mail with the information below for immediate release of your
consignment box,

HERE IS THE ACCT INFORMATION FOR SENDING THE FEE.
Receivers Name:...... LAWRENCE OBI
Country: ............Benin Republic
City.................Cotonuo
Test Question:...........When
Answer :................Today
Amount: ..............$105

Once you send the money, try to notify us with the MTCN for easy pick up
and for immediate action on the release of your consignment Please treat
this as matter of urgency and Note that any uncliam consignment will be
return to the Courier Company after 3 days for final divertion.
So you are urgently advise to comply with our demand so that we will
release your consignment.

Regard,
Dr. John Smith
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
FROM UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam