419 scam: "Mr.Mike James" <westernunionoffice819@gmail.com> Hello 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:
- "required 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. )
- "transfer of your funds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Mike James" <westernunionoffice819@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mikejames81161@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2022 02:51:51 -0700
Subject: Hello Beneficiary,

Hello Beneficiary,

I'm writing to you from Wells UBA BANK Benin Republic to confirm the
case in my office since Monday morning. A man named Mr. Anthony Wheals
came to my office on your behalf as he disclosed to me that you sent
him to come and claim your compensation funds of ($38 million
dollars). He made things very clear to me that you are dead and he's
the only person you disclosed this matter with and instructed him to
come and claim the money if you die. Right now I'm writing to know if
the fact it's true that you are DEAD or NOT, failure to respond back
in the next 24hrs simply means that what Mr. Anthony Wheals said it is
right that you are dead.

Mr. Anthony Wheals agreed to pay 2 times the required fee for the
transfer of your funds totaling $38 Million, but we have not accepted
the money from him yet as we want to find out if you are DEAD or NOT.
Please I want to know if you are ALIVE by responding to me within
24hrs

Remember I won't touch your payment file until I hear from you within
this short period of time because I'm following the laws and I will
not be against anybody as a result of my Office because I have a human
affinity and I also think perhaps he has a little problem with you.

NOTE: The only fees you have to pay as a true owner is the Transfer
fee which is $500 so you don't have to worry for anything as the
transaction is 100% risk free. The payment is real. You have payment
options which include Certified ATM CARD,Online banking Transfer
delivery to your residential address.

NOTE, you are required to respond back to us with your home address in
addition with the $500.00.

So kindly reconfirm to us the delivery information.

1, Full name.......................................
2, City............................................
3, State...........................................
4, Zip code........................................
5, Country.........................................
6, Home address....................................
7, Personal phone number...........................
8, Identification..................................
9, Current occupation..............................

PLEASE RESPOND BACK, SO THAT WE CAN GET MR. ANTHONY ARRESTED OR I HAVE
TO WISH YOU (RIP).Remember if you can't pay the $500.00, please do not
respond back.

Thank you, I await your prompt response.
Mr. Mike James
Yours in Service,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam