419 scam: "BenchMac & CO."<test@andrevillemont.com> Proposed partnership letter

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "lagos" (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.
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.
- bnchmclaw@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- broad street, lagos island lagos, nigeria. reply to: bnchmclaw@aol.com dear sir/madam, i am barr. issa young the legal (Aol; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "BenchMac & CO." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bnchmclaw@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2012 09:56:28 -0600
Subject: Proposed partnership letter

BenchMac & CO.

5B, Broad Street,

Lagos Island

Lagos,

Nigeria.

Reply to: bnchmclaw@aol.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Barr. Issa Young the legal adviser to Chief James O. Ibori (former Governor of oil rich Delta State in Nigeria for 8years), I wish to seek on behalf of my client your partnership in the transfer of ownership of funds deposited on behalf of my client in a blind trust account. My client, Chief James Ibori who was recently convicted by a London court for illegally enriching himself while he was governor of his state. I am seeking your help to stand-in as the owner of the fund which will be utilized for profitable investment purpose in your country. As Chief James Ibori's Attorney, I am privy to present you as the heir of the funds.

My apologies if this does not meet your ethics as I seek your urgent partnership to effect the change of ownership without delay. If you agree to partner with me on this deal, do send the below stated information required to effect the legal change of fund ownership in your favor.

1. Your full names

2. Complete contact address(not postal address)

3. Your mobile/telephone/fax number

4. Your date of birth

5. Your occupation

6. Bank name

7. Bank address

8. Bank account number and swift code

You should observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this transaction is risk free. I shall give you more information upon receipt of your response. Please send your reply to my private E-mail address: benchmacokco@aol.com

Regards,

Barr. Issa Young

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam