419 scam: "Rev Mike Bello"<info@aol.com> PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS OF USD$650,000.00 CERTIFIED FUNDS:

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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. )
- "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 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.
- w.uinon.nig207@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Rev Mike Bello" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <w.uinon.nig207@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 09:22:10 -0800
Subject: PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS OF USD$650,000.00 CERTIFIED FUNDS:

WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION SEND MONEY WORLDWIDE:
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU, ANKPA
ROAD OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.
Email:(w.uinon.nig207@gmail.com)

PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS OF USD$650,000.00 CERTIFIED FUNDS:

Hello Beneficiary,

Good day,and how are you today?please blame us not you may think that we forget to transfer your funds no but verification to know whether you are not real beneficiary that is why we no mailing you since but thank GOD that after the investigation we find out that the total ($650.000.00) was yours and every arrange was made normal,

Your where given a bill of sum in order to receive your Payment of which we didn’t hear from you for sometime now. Hence, our (western union office) is now offering a Special bonus to help all our customers that are abandoned their payment in our custody because of their financial difficulties. In order words we now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum of $55.00 to receive all their Payment abandoned in our custody and return the balance sum upon receipt since you find it difficult to raise the needed sum.

Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you to comply and your funds shall be transfer to your destination address. also note that after (3 DAYS) if you didn't make the payment of $55.00 then we will divert your funds to government account to avoid any problem or we will cancel your payment file.

So be advise to send $55.00.immediately if you still be willing to claim your payment so that we will register your payment once we receive the transfer charges because you will start receiving your payment as from tomorrow morning.

SEND THE $55.00 THROUGH WESTERN UNION WITH THE BELOW ADDRESS:

RECEIVER NAME: OKECHUKWU CYRIL OBALIM
COUNTRY: BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY: COTONOU
QUESTION: HONEST?
ANSWER: TRUST
AMOUNT: 55.00

I am here giving your guarantee 100 % Percent assurance that this is the only money you will pay and after you pay it you will start receiving your daily pay immediately. I will be waiting to have the payment information in order to enable us release first $3,500. first thing tomorrow morning.

Forward the payment control number, sender name and address after sending to enable pick up the money in this Department office here.

I WICH YOU GOOD LUCK.
YOURS IN SERVICE

DR.MIKE BELLO,
OFFICE THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE (101)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam