419 scam: "MR SMITH WILLIAM"<trunk@info.com> YOUR TRUNK BOX IS READY FOR PICKUP

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "certificate 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. )
- "security keeping 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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "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. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- smithwilliams8@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR SMITH WILLIAM" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <smithwilliams8@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2011 10:50:40 +0100
Subject: YOUR TRUNK BOX IS READY FOR PICKUP

Customers Service Hours--Monday to Saturday:
Office Hours Monday to Saturday:

Greetings !!!

We have been waiting for you to contact our agent for your Trunk Box worth
$1,650,000.00 (One Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States
Dollars), being compensation fund for 150 scam victims, but I did not hear from
you all this while.

I have deposited the Trunk Box with UPS COURIER SERVICE, West Africa, I
traveled out of the country for a 3 Months Course and I will not be back until
completion of my 3 months course. What you have to do now is to contact the
UPS COURIER SERVICE immediately to know when they will deliver your
consignment to you because of the expiring date.

For your information, WE have paid for the delivery Charge, Insurance premium and
Clearance Certificate Fee of the consignment showing that it is not a Drug Money
or meant to sponsor Terrorism attack in your Country. The only money you will
send to the UPS COURIER SERVICE to deliver your Trunk Box direct to your
postal Address in your country is US$150 only being Security Keeping Fee of the
Courier Company so far. Again, don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other
money except US$150.

I would have paid that but they refused, because they dont know when you will
contact them and in case of demurrage. You have to contact the UPS COURIER
SERVICE now for the delivery of your Trunk Box with this information below:

Contact Agent: Mr Smith Williams
Email Address:smithwilliams8@hotmail.com
Contact Number:+1 202 621 0493

Reconfirm the below information to the agent:

1. Full Names:
2. Residential Address:
3. Phone Number:
4. Identification:
5. Country:

Let me repeat again, try to contact them immediately you receive this mail to
avoid any further delay and remember to pay the Security Keeping fee of US$150
for their immediate action. You should also let me know through email as soon as
you receive your consignment.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr.Smith William.

GENERAL MANAGER TRUNK BOX UPS COURIER SERVICE.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam