419 scam: "Mrs. Veronica Jean" <mark_mike@yahoo.cn> Financial Minister Federal Republic of Benin

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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. )
- "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. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
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.
- +22968432169 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Veronica Jean" <mark_mike@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: westernunionmoneytransfer23@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2013 04:51:48 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Financial Minister Federal Republic of Benin

Attn Dear This is to inform you that your inheritance Fund valued of $8.5M US DOLLARhas been deposited with the western union money transfer office here inBenin republic.This payment was arrangement by the Federal Republic ofBenin Government, Under the co-operation of the new civilian Head ofState, President DR BONI YAYI and the Governor of Central Bank Of Benin. Your payment will be sending to you by Western Union, the amount you willreceive per day is $5000 The minister trust funds of Benin Republic willsend you the currently standards track details you need to pick up your($5,000.00) payment by Western Union Money Transfer, you will be receivingyour payment by $5000.00 usd every day till you receive the $8.5M Thedirector administrator trust funds have already signed your payment,kindlycontact the below person who is in position to release your paymentthrough Western Union by $5,000.00 per a day Contact Name: Director Mr.JOHN JIME-mail
Address: westernunionmoneytransfer23@yahoo.co.ukTelephone Number: +229 68432169 note we have two options to pay you and you are the one to make your choice options(1)our western union gold cash which you will withdraw daily $4000.00 option(2) receive daily cash $5000.00usd till the total payment completed there is one certificate called (fund release order certificate) which you suppose to obtain from high court services which noticed that you are not a Benin citizen but you did not have it and that is only what you needed now. According to the instruction passed to this western union department from the office of the (federal high court services) this will duly guarantee and cover the money as being legitimately acquired from the Benin government. so i want you to know that your fund of $7.8 million usd is still with the federal government account but it will be release immediately to this western union office as soon as you obtain the (fund
release order certificate) according to our messenger which went to the federal high court services office Benin republic for the release order certificate he told us that it will cost you the sum of $250.00usd only for the obtain of it. so he told us that they issue it within 2 hours as soon as they receive the fee. so reconfirm us your full address with the option either you want it gold card or daily per ok i will be awaiting to hear from you immediately with the payment information to enable us obtain the (fund release order certificate. Your Receiver----Your Country-----Your City------Your Tel-----Your Passport----- once again you are advice to send us the fee with below information 1. RECEIVER NAME:Okafor Cletus Nwakaeze2. COUNTRY: BENIN REPUBLIC.3. CITY: COTONOU4. QUESTION: URGENT?5. ANSWER: PAYMENT6. AMOUNT: US$250.007. SENDER'S NAME?8. MTCN? Yours in service.Mrs. Veronica JeanFinancial Minister Federal Republic of Benin

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