419 scam: USA EMBASSY <larryjames622@gmail.com> ATTENTION DEAR BENEFICIARY,

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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned 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.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.

Fraud email example:

From: USA EMBASSY <larryjames622@gmail.com>
Reply-To: USA EMBASSY <usembassy865@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2015 19:12:27 +0900 (JST)
Subject: ATTENTION DEAR BENEFICIARY,

ATTENTION DEAR BENEFICIARY,

AMERICAN EMBASSY in Benin Republic,Nigeria,Ghana and Bokina-faso
received a report of scam against you and other Sweden/US citizens and
Malaysia Etc. whom the country of Benin/Nigeria,Bokina faso And Ghana
have recompensed you due to meeting held with Four countries
Government and the world high Commissions against fraud activities by
the Four Country Citizens.Your Name was among those scammed as listed
by the West Africa Financial Intelligent Unit (WAFIU).A
re-compensation has been issued out in ATM card to all the affected
victims and has been already in distribution to all the bearers. Your
ATM card was among those that was reported undelivered since last week
Friday and we wish to advise you to see to the instructions of the
Committee to make sure you receives your ATM card immediately for your
depositing into your account.

WAFIU further told us that the use of Benin Couriers service was
abolished due to interception activities noticed in the above
mentioned courier services in Benin,Nigeria and Ghana and there by
have made a concrete arrangement with the DHL Courier Company for a
safe delivery to your door-step once the beneficiary meets up with $178
the demand of the conveyance fee.We advise that you do the needful to
make sure the WAFIU dispatches your re-compensate to you.You are
assured of the safety of your ATM card and availability and be advised
that you should stop further contacts with all the fake lawyers and
security companies who in collaboration scammed you.

I,BEING DR.MIKE MORRIS MAKES THIS GUARANTEE WITH SINCERITY,HAVING
CONSULTED WITH THE OFFICE OF MAJESTIC COURT TOP-MOST HEAD QUOTER,
WITNESSED BY THE OFFICE LEGAL ATTORNEY:BARRISTER HILLARY WAYNE.NOTE: THIS
IS A LAST AND FINAL GUARANTEE;ONCE AND FOR ALL GUARANTEE; IRREVOCABLE
GUARANTEE.GO HEAD NOW AND MAKE THE PAYMENT WITH
INFORMATION BELOW THROUGH WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM MONEY TRANSFER:

RECEIVER NAME___________EMMANUEL OGBONNA
COUNTRY_________________BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY____________________COTONOU
TEXT QUESTION___________WHEN
ANSWER_________________TODAY
AMOUNT_________________$178 USD
MTCN___________________
SENDER'S NAME___________
SENDER'S ADDRESS________
SENDER'S MOBILE PHONE NUMBER_______

We wait to hear from you immediately you make the payment of the $178 ONLY which
must guarantee the releasing and delivery of your ATM CARD to take effect immediately.

It is my pleasure to inform you that ATM Card Number; 7291 0632 7195
6718 have been approved in your favor.Your Personal Identification
Number is 8732. The ATM Card Value is $3,500.000.00 USD ONLY. You
advised that a maximum withdrawal value of $10,000.00 USD is permitted
on withdrawal per Day and we are duly Inter Switch and you can make
withdrawal in any location and ATM Center of your choice.I wait to
hear from you immediately you make the payment.

Professor Mike Morris,Chairman,He holds a Masters Degree in Law and a
Doctorate Degree in Property Law from Boston University,USA.Former
Dean of the Faculty of Law (1981-88) at the Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria and was once a member of Council/Senate Committee on Finance and
Governing Board of Advanced Legal Studies of the University of Lagos
Former Director of the Central Bank Mr.Barthlomew Bassey Ebong,
Auditor/Chief Accountant,He attended the University of Wisconsin, USA,
where he obtained the B.Sc. degree in (Cum Laude) in Accounting and
later proceeded to the Graduate School of Business Administration,
University of Minnesota, USA, where he obtained MBA with
specialization in Finance and Management Information Systems. He later
qualified as Certified Public Accountant of the American Institute of
Public Accountants. He was Executive Director Finance Services before
his appointment.Ado Abdullahi, Executive Secretary (South West
Operations)He holds a BSC (Economics) from Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria and MSC (Management and Technology) from the University of Wales
Institute of Science and Technology, Cardiff,UK.

Yours in Service,
Mr. Mike Morris.
Director,(PhD).
CONSULAR,
U.S.A EMBASSY
THE BOARD

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam