419 scam: "FBI HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON DC"<INFO@fbi.gov> FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

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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:
- "activation 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. )
- "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. )
- "million united state 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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "westerndept@windowslive.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +2348096910447 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "FBI HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON DC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <westerndept@windowslive.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:55:25 +1300
Subject: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONITARY CRIMES DIVISION
FBI HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535-0001
DATE: 01/2010,
Website: www.fbi.gov

Fund Beneficiary

This mail is to inform you that it came to our notice and we have thoroughly investigated by the help of our intelligence monitoring network system.

we saw your name (in the Central Computer among the list of unpaid contractors, inheritance, next of kin and lottery beneficiaries that was originated from Africa, Europe, Asia Plus Middle east and Americans) among the list of individuals and companies that your unpaid fund has been located to the Western Union Money Transfer which is the paying bank now.

Your name appeard among the beneficiaries who will receive a part-payment of $3 Million United State Dollars and has been approved already for months.

You are required to send your name and address Where you want your fund to be sent to you through WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER to them.

Below is the contact address of the Western Union Money Transfer in west Africa.

Name: Mr. Morris Brown
Email Address: westerndept@windowslive.com
Website:www.westernunion.com
Telephone:+234-809-691-0447

The maximium amount you will be receiving per a day starting from tomorrow is $7000.00) and the MTCN NO# will be sent along with the Text Questions &Answers for you to receive your fund through any Western Union Location in your Country.

Send your information to Mr Morris Brown. of Western Union Money Transfer in NIGERIA.

You are require to pay for the Activation Fee which will cost you the sum of $280us dollars to them so your transfer can start immediately.

Recivers Full names:

Address:

Occupation:

Age:

Phone numbers:

Country/State:

Once again, I apologize to you on behalf Of the UN (UNITED NATIONS) failure to pay your funds in time, which according to records in the system had been long overdue.

Your's Sincerely,
Mr.Raphael Wilson
Fbi Esq Agent

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam