419 scam: "MRS.TRACY VAN DIRK."<info@iaut.ac.ir> ATTENTION: DHL COURIER COMPANY IS WAITING FOR YOU.

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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:
- "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. )
- "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)
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.
- +2348023989097 (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.
- mayor_benson@ig.com.br (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS.TRACY VAN DIRK." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mayor_jack@ig.com.br>
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2010 06:28:55 +0530
Subject: ATTENTION: DHL COURIER COMPANY IS WAITING FOR YOU.

GoodDay!!!

I am glad to send you this email to notify you concerning your ATM CARD worth $3.5 MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS which has been in our custody for the past few months.

We want you to understand that the delivery fee is being paid by the Authorities and what you need to do now is to contact us immediately so that the delivery will commence to your doorstep as soon as possible.

Note that you are to pay for the Activation fee of your ATM CARD which is only $200 Dollars so that your ATM CARD will be Activated and delivered to you at your doorstep immediately.

If you know you will not be able to pay for the Activation fee of your ATM CARD please do not respond back to this email, and your ATM CARD will be

returned back to the compensation head office which you will not be able to get the ATM CARD again.

Do fill this information and get back to us as soon as You received this message.Recomfirm your mailing address.

===============================================

Full Name:.........

Sex:...................

Mailing Address:..........

Personal Phone Number...........

Occupation:..................

================================================

As soon as you are ready to make the payment of the Activation fee of your ATM CARD {$200} do let us know by sending us your mailing address, and we are going to send you the information in which you are going to use in making the payment for the delivery, once your payment have been comfirmed by our accountant officer, your ATM CARD will be delivered to you as soon as possible.

Get back to the ATM Agent immediately for the delivery of your ATM CARD.

ATM AGENT:

MR. MAYOWA BENSON

E-mail: mayor_benson@ig.com.br

TEL: +234 8023 9890 97

=========================================

=========================================

Thanks for your understanding.

Sincerly,

Mrs. Suzy Blanker

THE MANAGING DIRECTOR.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam