419 scam: lavine ferdon <laferdon38@msn.com> CYBER WIRETAP & FUNDS RECOVERY DEPARTMENT

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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. )
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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 free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- uwestern31@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: lavine ferdon <laferdon38@msn.com>
Reply-To: <uwestern31@rocketmail.com>
Date: Sat, 19 May 2012 02:23:49 +0000
Subject: CYBER WIRETAP & FUNDS RECOVERY DEPARTMENT

CYBER WIRETAP & FUNDS RECOVERY DEPARTMENT,
FBI INTERNET FRAUD & SCAM UNIT.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, (FBI).
J.EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE,
NW WASHINGTON, D.C

We believe this notification meets you in a very good state of mind and health. The FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI) Washington, D.C United States of America in conjunction with FBI UK Internet Fraud Watch/Alert have recently been
informed through our Global intelligence monitoring network that you have a pending Fund transaction with Western Union Office Benin which has been investigated and confirmed their genuity. It might interest you to know that we have taken out time in screening through this whole transaction as stipulated on our protocol of operation and have finally confirmed that AFRICA DEVELOPMENT BANK, western Union department is the only authorized Bank to get all the fund instalmentally transfered to you till you recieved your total awareded funds of $2.5M(Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

Several investigations by this office have shown that you have been dealing with some unauthorized persons and Companies regarding some internet transaction which proof un-geniune. You are hereby INSTRUCT to quit all the mail conversation with any other persons or individuals accept Dr Madela Freeman of AFRICA DEVELOPMENT BANK(ADB).

Our UK attachee agent recently had a meeting with the Ambassador of UNITED STATES EMBASSY at Benin, in the person of Hon. Gayleatha B. Brown, along with some other top officials of your EMBASSY, regarding your case and they made us to understand that your file has been held in abase pending when you personally file for your claims. They intimated him that the only problem they are facing right now is your delay over the claim of your Fund with the which has mandated our office to Embark on an investigation after three days from today.

Most importantly, We advise you to discontinue further dealings with any person or organization posing as staff of Courier Company, Banks or affiliate of any Company or agency concerning the Transfer of your fund for your own interest, You are advised to immediately contact Western Union outlet at Benin on the following details for the onward release and instalmental transfer of your fund by geting them the requirement needed for the transfer, Which stipulation indicated that the Federal Government of Benin is tempting to confisicate your fund and deny your right as the owner of the fund.

Be officially guilded that you have TWO (2) working days to comply with the Directives given to enable them conclude with you or else we take care of the case over the climax of the transaction to fish out the situations.

ORGANIZATION: AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK PLC.
WESTERN UNION DEPARTMENT.
CONTACT PERSON : Dr Madela Freeman
EMAIL: uwestern31@rocketmail.com
Tel: 00 (229) 68464841.

Contact the above office for further correspondence concerning the reciept of your funds.

Best Regards,

Head of Internet Department
Agent Lavine F. Ferdon.
FBI, Special Monitorin Units.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Washington DC, USA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam