419 scam: "William J. Burns" <usdepartment.state.org@gmail.com> US DEPARTMENT OF STATE COMPENSATION UNIT

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- ",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)
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.
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.
- usdepartment.state.org@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "William J. Burns" <usdepartment.state.org@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:38:46 -0500
Subject: US DEPARTMENT OF STATE COMPENSATION UNIT

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Department of Finance and Administration
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Email: usdepartment.state.org@gmail.com
Date: 14/03/2012

Attn: Beneficiary,

Acting in our capacity as the Apex body authorised by the US
Government to reconcile foreign payments, we are pleased to inform you
that full clearance has been granted for the release of the sum of
$6,500,000.00 dollars being the value of the payment approved in your
favor for immediate release.

Please note that your payment has been approved for immediate release
and transfer into your bank account as the sole beneficiary with
irrevocable Payment Router #: CHASE-XXCL-753-082-12 issued and signed
by the Financial Officer; to enhance our domestic security; and this
payment has been authourized to be paid out to you via issuance of an
ATM CARD through the CHASE BANK, Victorville California.

For your confirmation, the $6,500,000.00 dollars has been programmed
into an ATM PLATINUM CARD and it is ready for delivery to your address
via FEDEX. However, the delivery of the ATM CARD to you via FEDEX is
free because all fees connected with the delivery via FEDEX has been
prepaid, but a "U.S Anti-Terrorism Clearance Certificate" must be
obtained from the Financial Services Authourity (FSA) for a fee of
$150.00 dollars before the ATM CARD delivery can go through. Hence,
you are advised to send the sum of $150.00 dollars via Western Union
with the understated details:

Name of Receiver: James Kinikin
Destination: 1012 S Milam St
State: Texas
City: Amarillo
Test Question: Color
Answer: Blue
Amount: $150.00 USD

Please ensure that you confirm the details of your delivery address,
as well as send the details of payment for the $150.00 dollars via
email as soon as you have received this message.

Your immediate attention and compliance will be in your best interest.

Yours truly,

William J. Burns
Deputy Secretary of State
usdepartment.state.org@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam