419 scam: "AIRPORT CUSTOM AUTHORITY" <info@aca.com> IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM THE AIRPORT CUSTOM AUTHORITY

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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:
- "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. )
- "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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "million united states 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)
- "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. )
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.

Fraud email example:

From: "AIRPORT CUSTOM AUTHORITY" <info@aca.com>
Reply-To: <rev.charlesd2010@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:30:55 +0100
Subject: IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM THE AIRPORT CUSTOM AUTHORITY

Reverend Charles Dick
Controller
Airport Customs Authority
San Jacinto, California.
U.S.A

Greetings of the day to you and hope this mail gets to you in a good state of mind,i bring good news to you and i know you will be wearing a smile at the end of this mail as i am bringing alive your lost hope and dreams.

I am Reverend Charles Dick,newly appointed as Controller of the Airport Customs Authority here in the United States and my office is at SAN JACINTO,CALIFORNIA where i write this mail to you with the FBI's Consent,Following your unconcluded transaction that has been going over for a while now based on your rightful funds that you are supposed to collect {
1.8 Million United States Dollars},i am happy to inform you now that the STOP/HOLD that has been put on it by the FBI Controllers{ Mr Robert Mueller/Mrs Irish Polen} has been removed after thorough investigation and verification,it is now visible that your package and its contents are not for some form of TERRORISM ACTIVITIES.

On my first official resumption of office, I got a record of confiscated goods and different consignments being held down by the FBI and also the AIRPORT CUSTOMS AUTHORITY,i dont think this is a fair treatment and i am carrying a massive decongestion of this goods,mind you,i have a record of different packages from ATM Packages,Silver trunk boxes consignment and also some checks being sent from Africa,Asia and also Europe,so you are being advise to get back immediately to me as soon as you get this mail to re-claim your consignment/Atm Card,Cheque if you have been expecting any, reconfirm your contact information as being requested below:

1) Your Full Name:
(2) Your Address where you want the payment center to send your fund to:
(3) Phone And Fax Number:
(4) Age and Occupation:
(5) Your Nearest International Air Port in your City of residence:

You also have to state clearly the airport where you want your package to be delivered or perhaps if you can come down to my office in Carlifonia to get your funds in person,it would be better but you have to know a non refundable Verification fee of $500 will be requested which will be used in settling the FBI/AIRPORT CUSTOMS AUTHORITY so the Hold could be lifted off your package,Your claim slip will be sent to you immediately payment is being confirmed and if you wish to settle the fee via Western Union,i will forward the payment information for the FBI Receiver in my next mail to you.

I will be on the lookout for your mail.

Best Regards,

Reverend Charles

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam