419 scam: "EFCC - Internet Crime Complaint Center" <fraud-victims@efccnigeria.org> EFCC Fraud Alert >>> Stop every email transactions !!

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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. )
- "economic and financial crimes commission" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "(efcc)" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "farida mzamber waziri" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
- wu.ems.location@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "EFCC - Internet Crime Complaint Center" <fraud-victims@efccnigeria.org>
Reply-To: wu.ems.location@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 21:32:28 -0000 (GMT)
Subject: EFCC Fraud Alert >>> Stop every email transactions !!

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
15A Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Nigeria
+234 1 2625189
http://www.efccnigeria.org

Attention:

This is to officially announce to you that some scam syndicates were apprehended
in Lagos, Nigeria few days ago at western union agent location when they were
about to pick up some money sent to them by their scam victims and they were
handed over to the police, after several interrogations and tortures your name
and contact details were among those mentioned by the scam syndicates as a
victim of their operations.

The Federal Government of Nigeria through provisions in Section 419 of the
Criminal Code came up with punitive measures to deter and punish offenders.The
Advance Fee Fraud section deal mainly with cases of advance fee fraud(commonly
called 419) such as obtaining by false pretence through different fraudulent
schemes e.g. contract scam, credit card/ATM card scam, inheritance scam, western
union transfer scam, EFCC compensation scam, FBI investigation scam,
compensation scam, job scam, loan scam, lottery scam, “wash wash” scam (money
washing scam), marriage scam. Immigration scam, counterfeiting and religious
scam. It also investigates cyber crime cases.

In this regard a meeting was held between the Board of Directors of The Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and as a consequence of our
investigations it was agreed that the sum of ten thousand US Dollars (US$10,000)
each should be transferred to all the scam victims that their name and contact
details were among those mentioned by the scam syndicates out of the funds that
Federal Government of Nigeria has set aside as a compensation to everyone who
have sent money to fraudsters in Nigeria.

Right now we are working hand in hand with Western Union and Interpol to track
every fraudsters down. The purpose for this is to regain the lost glory of our
great country Nigeria and to also show the entire world that this government is
highly ready to fight corruption, in 2007 we were rated as one of the most
corrupt countries in the world and it is never a good title. Do not respond to
their e-mails, letters and phone calls any longer they are scammers and you
should be very careful to avoid being a victim to fraudsters any longer because
they have nothing to offer you but to rip-off what you have worked hard to earn.

***Please note that we will NO LONGER be liable for any loss, cost or expense,
whatsoever, suffered or incurred by You in connection with the fraudsters. Be
warned!

We have deposited your cheque at Western Union Money Transfer agent location EMS
Post office Lagos, Nigeria. We have submitted your details to them so that your
fund can be transferred to you. We have insured your fund for security reasons
and to avoid misappropriation.

Contact the Western Union EMS agent office through the email address stated
below inform them about this notification letter and the transfer of your fund;

wu.ems.location@hotmail.com

Yours sincerely,
Maureen Chigozie (Ms)
Internet Crime Complaint Center
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

******************************************************************************************************************
Please note that some fraudsters are claiming to be the Executive Chairman,
Chief Mrs. Farida Mzamber Waziri (AIG rtd.) or staff of The Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission have recently been sending phony e-mails/letters and
also calling unsuspecting persons, with intent to defraud them. It is important
to note that these fraudsters are criminals engaged in Advanced Fee Fraud known
in Nigeria as 419. Every day, people throughout the world are falling victim to
scams of one kind or another. But remember - if it sounds too good to be true,
it is probably a scam. In the circumstance, we unreservedly advice you to
dissociate yourself from all correspondence and transactions entered into based
on evidently fraudulent and fictitious claims.
******************************************************************************************************************

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam