419 scam: "HOMELAND SECURITY SERVICES"<michaelcertoff@homeland.com> From U.S. Department Of Homeland Security Services.

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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "diplomatic immunity"
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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)
- ",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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
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.
- +2348021466930 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- kelvinwilliams@representative.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "HOMELAND SECURITY SERVICES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <michaelchertoff234@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 13:29:26 -0400
Subject: From U.S. Department Of Homeland Security Services.

Secretary Michael Chertoff
U.S. Department Of Homeland Security Services,
Washington, D.C. 20528, U.S.A.

Attention: Beneficiary,

After investigation on this fund we discovered that you have not been able to get your fund transfer due to some requirement as needed by the Bank. We have gone through your Identification record and also the information’s received from the Bank, ATM CENTER AND COMPENSATION CENTER, we have verified a lot of things about you; It has come to the attention of our Money Trafficking investigation department, that you have some funds valued at $10.5 Million United States Dollars to your name; the said payment is awaiting adjudication and crediting to you.

You are now qualified to receive and confirm your Outstanding Inheritance Fund /Contract payment with the Homeland Security Service and World Bank office in America immediately as approved by International Monetary Fund (IMF); We wish to inform you that the correct amount you are approved to receive is ($10,500,000.00 Dollars).

Kindly verify the available funds by calling the world Bank Office in America with this number: 1 917 675 4908 and when you call, the office will ask you the secret code which is stated below and any mistake will lead to the confiscation of the fund.

Security Code is 1945 your fund is now on hold in America, and as soon as you call the number, you cannot transfer your fund to any bank account you wish because the world bank need a DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY SEAL from International Monetary fund to transfer your fund to your account.

You are advice to contact the FBI Special Agent with the IMF in Lagos Nigeria where the funds originated with the information below,the relevant Moneytry Agency will issue you the DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY SEAL from their office and you have to send a copy of your Identification, Full Names, Direct Telephone number, Occupation, Full House Address Including (City, state and Zip Code) to avoid making a wrong payment because all the necessary arrangement has been concluded in your favor.

Note If you want to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent, make sure you put this Secret Code:XXTN013 failure to put the code the office will not answer you.

FBI AGENT: KELVIN WILLIAMS
EMAIL: ( kelvinwilliams@representative.com )
TEL: +234-802-146-6930

Once you contact the FBI special agent to IMF for the DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY SEAL, make sure you send the approval to this office to enable us forward it to the World Bank for the release of your fund which is very important you get the document before 10 Banking days or your payment will be cancel by Homeland security Service.

Sincerely,
Michael Chertoff.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam