419 scam: "Embassy Washington"<embassy@embassy.com> Looking forward to receiving your response.

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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:
- "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)
- "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)
- "abuja" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Embassy Washington" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.nigeriaembassywashington@googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:48:25 +0100
Subject: Looking forward to receiving your response.

EMBASSY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
3519 INTERNATIONAL COURT, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20008 .
MY PRIVATE TEL/FAX:(202) 362 6541.

Attention:

A Diplomatic Consignment/funds(US$5.5M) tagged diplomatic luggage 122 with Ref:No4435/X15/709 in your favour from Africa has arrived on your behalf at the Embassy of Nigeria Washington for transportation and delivery to your location.

My dear,as a privileged beneficiary of the said unpaid funds,we used a Diplomatic Means to pay in cash to your doorstep.

Note:The money is in two(2) security proof boxes, The boxes are sealed with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine by the Debt Management Offce of Presidency Abuja Nigeria and dispatched with a direct flight to Washington.

This office is ready to transport the consignment therefore you are advised to give me your Direct Phone Number and Receiving House Address including your nearest Airport.

Looking forward to receiving your response.

Sincerely Yours,

AMB. BABAGANA WAKIL,
DEPUTY NIGERIAN CHIEF OF MISSION WASHINGTON DC,
TEL/FAX:(202) 362 6541

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam