419 scam: "Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)" <backup@venus2000.com> UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "million us 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)
- "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.
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 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.
- +2348174423347
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.
- fbilogisticedept@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)" <backup@venus2000.com>
Reply-To: <fbilogisticedept1@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 16 May 2012 15:34:17 +0200
Subject: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Anti-Terrorist And Monitory Crime Division.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
J.Edgar.Hoover Building Washington Dc
Customers Service Hours / Monday To Saturday
Office Hours Monday to Saturday:

Attention: Beneficiary,

Carefully read this email and facilitate immediately for the proper endorsement and release of your fund to you.I am Miss Linda Robison an Exchange Manager, Head of the World Bank Finance Group and Interpol London Branch, set up to fight against Scam, Financial Crimes and Fraudulent activities worldwide.

This Group is responsible for investigating the legitimacy of unpaid contract, inheritance and lotto winning claims by companies and individuals and directs the paying authorities (Fiduciary Agents) worldwide to make immediate payment of verified claims to the beneficiaries without further delay.You are being legally contacted regarding the release of your long awaited fund. After a detailed review of your file, the World Bank Group has mandated that your fund should be release immediately today.

This is to officially inform you that an ATM CARD worth (Three Million and Five Hundred United States Dollars) ($3.5MILLION USD) has been accredited in your favor. Your Personal Identification Number is 2911.Your payment would be sent to you via our preferred option and would be mailed to you via UPS. Because we have signed a contract with UPS which should expire in next three weeks you will only need to pay $220 instead of $420 saving you $200 So if you pay before the three weeks 2011 you save $285 Take note that anyone asking you for some kind of money above the usual fee is definitely a fraudsters and you will have to stop communication with every other person if you have been in contact with any. Also remember that all you will ever have to spend is $220.00 nothing more! Nothing less! And we guarantee the receipt of your fund to be successfully delivered to you within the next 24hrs after the receipt of payment has been confirmed.

DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS: The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is $420 but because UPS have temporarily discontinued the C.O.D which gives you the chance to pay when package is delivered for international shipping We had to sign contract with them for bulk shipping which makes the fees reduce from the actual fee of $420 to $220 nothing more and no hidden fees of any sort! To effect the release of your fund valued at $3.5Million us dollars you are advised to contact our correspondent in West Africa the delivery officer Chief Alhaji. Suleiman Victor with the information below,

ATM Card Center Director: Chief Alhaji. Suleiman Victor
Direct Cell Number: +234-81-7442-3347

You are advised to contact him with the information's as stated below:

Your full Name..
Your Address:.....
Home/Cell Phone:........
Preferred Payment Method (ATM / Cashier Check)

The payment for the UPS COURIERS must be submitted via Western Union Money Transfer Or Money Gram Agencies nearest to you with the payment details as given below:

Name: Mr. Ben Martins.
Address: 21 Road H2 Festac Town Ikeja.
State: LAGOS
Country: NIGERIA
Test Question: IN GOD
Answer: WE TRUST
Amount: US $220 Only
M.T.C.N/ Reference Numbers :
Senders Name :
Senders Address :
Senders: Direct Cell Number:

We guarantee receipt of your payment. This is as a result of the mandate from US Government to make sure all debts owed to citizens of American and also Asia and Europe which includes Inheritance, Contract, Gambling/Lottery etc are been cleared. Please go ahead and make the payment of $220.00 at any Western Union Money Transfer Or Money Gram and provide us with the following details after sending the fee today.

Upon receipt of payment the delivery officer will ensure that your package is sent within 24 working hours. Because we are so sure of everything we are giving you a 100% money back guarantee if you do not receive payment/package within the next 24hrs after you have made the payment for shipping.

Be informed that delivery will be made to your address in 24 hours after our confirmation of this payment for delivery today,As soon as you have made the payment,kindly send to us via email, the scan payment slip for confirmation. Upon the receipt of payment details, we shall e-mail you the tracking number within the next 24 working hours so you can track and know the status of delivery before the arrival of the couriers to your doorstep.

Yours sincerely,
Miss Linda Robison
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535

WARNING: This e-mail is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 United States Code, §§2510-2521 and is legally privileged. It contains information from Chief Alhaji. Suleiman Victor, MA, MFT, Ph.D which may be privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Dissemination or copying of this by anyone otherthan the addressee or the addressee's agent is strictly prohibited. If this electronic transmission is received in error, please notify Chief Alhaji. Suleiman Victor immediately at +234-81-7442-3347 or return email to fbilogisticedept@yahoo.co.jp.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam