419 scam: "Steven M. Dean (Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge)"<steven.m.d@fbi.com> TREAT AS URGENT.

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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. )
- "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. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "robert mueller" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real FBI will not tell you to contact some email address. If you are in any doubt, contact an FBI field office via www.fbi.gov. )
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (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 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.
- dr.bryanrowe@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Steven M. Dean (Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.bryanrowe@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:07:16 -0700
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT.

Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI Seattle Division
1110 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101-2904
Payment Code: R5109176K
Reg No: 132731593
Date:July 14th, 2009

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has discovered through our intelligence Monitoring Network that you are eligible to receive the sum of $12,500,00.00 USD regarding to an over-due Inheritance/Award payment which was fully endorsed to be paid in your favor.Therefore, the FBI Seattle Division in conjunction with the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Has screened through our various Monitoring Networks and has been confirmed and notified that the transaction you have with the Financial Institution is Legal and you have the Lawful Right to claim your due fund.

The President His Excenllency Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua President of the Federal republic of Nigeria has given us to the final approval to pay your fund to you within the next 48hrs,Your fund valued $12,500,000.00 USD has been deposited into a Gold smart Card number: 5425 0512 3456 1956 personal identification is ATM- 7997 this card will enable you buy and withdrawal cash anywhere around the world this is done for your own security, with this card you will not have to take the risk of sending us your personnal banking details online as you have been strongly advise by
your local bank not to send your banking details to anyone online.

What you are required to do now to Pay the fees of $180.00 USD for the shipment of your Gold Smart card to your choice location, $180.00 USD is the only fees that has been approved by both the FBI and the Bank that you are to pay as cost of Delivery of your Card to you by the courier company.Once the fees is been paid your will get to you in the next 2-3 working day.

Note: Your funds are protected by a hardcover insurance policy, which makes it impossible to deduct any amount from the money before it can be remitted to you. This means that the above charges cannot be deducted from the Funds and hence must be provided by you before your fund is transferred to you.

The payment for any of the above options should be sent via Western Union Money Transfer in the name of the Head of Operations Mr. Fredrick Ighozino. Find below the payment information.

*Name of receiver: Fredrick Ighozino
*Office Address: Plot 143, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos 23401
Nigeria.
*Text Question: In God
*Answer: We Trust
*Name of Sender:.....................
*Address of Sender:..................
*MTCN#...............................
*Amount.........................$180

Please contact the Head of Operations Dr.Bryan Rowe Central Bank of Nigeria As soon you make the your payment.
Dr. Bryan Rowe (Head of Operations)
International Remittance Department
Email: dr.bryanrowe@hotmail.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As soon as he receive your payment, he shall proceed with your fund transfer immediately.
We anticipate your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Steven M. Dean (Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge)
cc Robert Mueller (FBI Director)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This electronic message is intended only for the use of the individual(s)or entity named above and may contain confidential, legally privileged or proprietary information which is not for general use or disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you receive this message in error, please alert us by reply message and then delete this message from your system. Your cooperation is appreciated

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam