419 scam: "Mrs. Mercy Alimona" <info@presidency.gov.ng> Message from Mrs. Mercy Alimona

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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. )
- "processing fee" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "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. )
- "abuja" (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.
- +2348034690404 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- +2348064690404 (Nigeria, 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.
- hon.mercyalimona@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Mercy Alimona" <info@presidency.gov.ng>
Reply-To: hon.mercyalimona@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 02 Aug 2015 19:38:24 -0700
Subject: Message from Mrs. Mercy Alimona

WELCOME TO INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUNDS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT
(RESOLUTION PANEL ON COMPENSATION/INHERITANCE)
Tell: +234-806-469-0404
Contact Email ;(hon.mercyalimona@gmail.com)
PAYMENT INFORMATION (ATM MASTERCARD APPROVED)

Attention Honorable Beneficiary,

This is to acknowledge the receipt of the order from the HOUSE SENATE PRESIDENT, in respect with the provision act of decree 114 of the 1999 constitution; I am directed to inform you that your payment verification and confirmations is correct. Therefore, we are happy to inform you that arrangements have been concluded to effect your payment as soon as possible and in our bid to transparency. Your skepticism is understandable and not without merit. However, we will not be party to a situation like you suggested and quite frankly, I take exception to what you are implying. Your ATM MASTERCARD is real and legitimate.

I am the co-coordinator for this category of programmer and it should not be 20 surprising to you with you awareness so far that fraudulent people uses our name to try to scam/fraud innocent people. and reports trip to us day in day out of people defrauded using our name and other fraudulent email with company names and that is why they told you that you should stop further communication with any other person(s) OR office(s) to avoid hitches receiving your ATM MASTERCARD. The problem we are facing is that many beneficiary like you find it hard to believe us when they eventually become beneficiary, It is my pleasure to inform you that ATM MasterCard Number; 435538769540132 have been approved in your favor. Your Personal Identification Number is 2900. The ATM MasterCard Value is ($1.5millions USD Only) You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of SIX THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLAR PER DAY, this 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 World wild.

We have concluded delivery arrangement with all COURIER SERVICES, Courier Company to be fully insured by Nikon Insurance Corporation. In view of this development, you are requested to choose from the options listed below your choice and cost of delivery, This is to inform you that, you will be responsible for the Payment of the Delivering of your (ATM MASTERCARD) and the above charges cannot be Deducted from the Prize and hence must be provided by you because you are the rightful beneficiary, is your due right to pay the imposed delivery fee, before your ATM MasterCard Worth $1.4 Million United State Doller can be delivered to you at your door step.

{DHL DELIVERY}
Mailing: $70.00 USD
Doc Processing fee: $80.00 USD
TOTAL: $150.00 USD

{UPS DELIVERY}
Mailing: $65.00 USD
Doc Processing fee: $47.00 USD
TOTAL: $112.00 USD

{FedEx DELIVERY}
Mailing: $50.00 USD
Doc Processing fee: $45.00 USD
TOTAL: $95.00 USD

CONFIRM YOUR DELIVERY OF YOUR ATM MASTERCARD ADDRESS BELOW
RECEIVERS NAME:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
COUNTRY: / PHONE NUMBER:

DELIVERY OPTION:

Therefore what you should do now is any courier your need send the money through western union today on receipt of this email with below name:

Receiver's name: ESHILI UGOCHUKWU
City: ABUJA,
Country: NIGERIA.
Test: REQUIRE TODAY.
Answer: YES.

Please confirm if you can be able to take this cost so that I can know how to proceed, Delivery will be made to your address in 48 hours (2 days) after our confirmation of this payment for delivery, as you know that the delivery fee receipt will be used to attach on your payment delivery documents to avoid being delayed by customs. You are advice to indicate the mode that suit you in delivering your ATM MASTERCARD. And get back to us immediately.

Treat very urgently as we also remind you that your ATM MasterCard is ready. The Woman in charge of your card delivering will let you know if they about to make the delivering.

Mrs. Mercy Alimona
Tell: +2348034690404
Director of Compensation committee,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam