419 scam: "Ministry of Finance"<laura@bc.cablemas.com> GOOD NEWS!!!

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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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
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.
- +22997908629 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- wu.agentbj@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Ministry of Finance" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <w.unionagent01@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2013 10:54:14 +0100
Subject: GOOD NEWS!!!

Attn Beneficiary;

The Federal Ministry of Finance Benin Republic, are hereby to notify you of your inheritance funds what of ($4.7 Million) has been approved after the meeting held today 4th of November 2013, With His Excellence the PRESIDENT REPUBLIC OF BENIN (Dr.Yayi Boni) has Instructed Western Union Department to send your funds through western union money transfer, for easy receiving of your inheritance funds without any further delay to avoid paying money to the fraud stars that is going on through internet global.You are required to send your name and address where you want your fund to be send to you through WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER without further delay. The maximum amount you will be receiving per a day starting from this moment is ($5,000.00 USD) and the MTCN No# will be send along with the Text Question & Answer for you to pick up your first payment at any Western Union Location in your Country.

Note; that the only fee you have to pay is ($250 usd) to obtain the following certificates in your name to proof that the total sum of ($4.7 Million) belongs to you as the Government required and be rest assure that all other fees have been taking care off.

1. Certificate of anti-laundering.
2. Certificate of anti-terrorist.

Send your information now to Mr. Jeffrey Williams, the payment officer of western union money transfer in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Receiver's Name:________
Country:_________
City:__________
Tel:________
Test Question:______?
Answer:________
Sex:_______
Age:___
ID No#____

For further procedure Contact the payment officer with the information below;

Mr. Jeffrey Williams
Tel: +229-9790-8629
Email:= wu.agentbj@gmail.com
call him now

Make sure you fill the above information as soon as possible and you should call (Mr. Jeffrey Williams) on his direct telephone number: +229-9790-8629 due to his tight schedule and informed us when you receive the fund to share the joy together with you.

Your Faithfully,

Ms. Laura GUZMAN
Executive Secretary.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam