419 scam: "Sgt Gracias" <spdcourierdeliver@yahoo.fr> Attn: Beneficiary,

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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:
- "demurrage " (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. )
- "security keeping 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. )
- "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)
- "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)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (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.
- +22998581113 (Benin, probably a 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.
- gscpjuliengrimaud@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Sgt Gracias" <spdcourierdeliver@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: gscpjuliengrimaud@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 12:58:33 +0300 (EAT)
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary,

Attn: Beneficiary,

I am Sgt Gracias Dare (Rtd) National Special Adviser to the Benin Republic
President Dr. BONI YAYI, I am delighted to inform you that the contract
panel, which just concluded it seating with representatives of the United
Nations in Cotonou Benin Republic just released your name among
contractors to benefit from the Diplomatic Immunity Payment. This Panel
was primarily delegated to investigate manipulated contract claims,
contracts and over-invoiced payment as the effect has eaten deep into the
economy of our dear country.

However, we wish to bring to your notice that your contract profile is
still reflecting in our central computer as unpaid contractor while
auditing was going on. Your contract file was forwarded to my office by
the auditors as unclaimed fund, we wish to use this medium to inform you
that for the time being the president Dr. BONI YAYI have stopped further
payment through bank to bank transfer in our country due to contractors
numerous petitions to United Nations against Benin Republic on wrong
payment and diversion of contract funds to different account.

To insure a safe payment we have deposited the US$1,200,000.00, your
contract funds as consignment box with GLOBAL SPEED COURIER SERVICE
COMPANY in Benin Republic.
As a matter of secrecy we did not disclose the real contents of the
consignment to the courier service company to avoid raising eyebrow or
diversion of your funds so always communicate with them saying consignment
and not money.

You are therefore advised to contact the company and demand that they
deliver your consignment to you. No charges of delivery will be paid as
that has been taking care of in the contract panel meeting with the United
Nations; the only money you have to send to them is the security keeping
fee, which is $98.00 to receive your package.
This fee can only be paid when you are ready for the shipment of your
consignment, after you have paid this fee and still delay the shipment of
the consignment you will start paying for demurrage if the consignment
still remains there, therefore, pay this fee and request that the shipment
should be made immediately to your address.

CONTACT PERSON: MR. JULIEN GRIMAUD
MANAGER GLOBAL SPEED COURIER SERVICE COMPANY
E-mail: ( gscpjuliengrimaud@yahoo.com.hk )
CONTACT PHONE: +229-98581113

Give them your address to be used for the delivery.
Your Full Name-----------------------
Your Residential Address---------------------------
Mobile telephone---------------------
A copy of your international passport or driver’s
license----------------------------------

Regards
Sgt Gracias Dare (Rtd).

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam