419 scam: "Robert.s.Mueller"<office@vnptglobal.com.vn> Unclaimed Fund

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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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.
- +2347041314265 (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.
- mrpaulsmitho8@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Robert.s.Mueller" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alert23@bahamamail.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2012 21:48:55 -0400
Subject: Unclaimed Fund

Fund Beneficiary, Series of meetings have been held over the past 7 months with the secretary general of the United Nations Organization. This ended 3 days ago. It is obvious that you have not received your fund which is $8,000,000.00 due to past corrupt Governmental Officials who almost held the fund to themselves for their selfish reason and some individuals who have taken advantage of your fund all in an attempt to swindle your fund which has led to so many losses from your end and unnecessary delay in the receipt of your fund. The National Central Bureau of Interpol enhanced by the United Nations and Federal Bureau of Investigation have successfully passed a mandate to the current president of Nigeria His Excellency Good luck Jonathan to boost the exercise of clearing all foreign debts owed to you and other individuals and organizations who have been found not to have receive their Contract Sum, Lottery/Gambling, Inheritance and the likes.Now both the Parties have agreed that your Fund have to be sent to you through ATM Visa Card? We will be issuing to you and a custom pin based ATM card which you will use to withdraw your Fund will also be given to you so that you will have access to your ATM CARD in any ATM machine that has the Master Card or VISA Logo on it and the card have to be renewed in 2 years time which is 2014. Also with the ATM card you will be able to transfer your funds to your local bank account. The ATM card comes with a handbook or manual to enlighten you about how to use it. Therefore the contact information for the paying office is as follows: ATM card center Name: Mr. Paul Smith Email: mrpaulsmitho8@gmail.com Phone: +234-7041314265 Contact Mr. Paul smith of the ATM card center with your information as follows: Full name: City: State: Direct phone / mobile number: Current occupation once you have sent the required information to Mr. Paul Smith he will contact you with instructions on how to make the payment of $150 for the approval slip after which he will proceed towards delivery of the ATM card without any further delay. you are hereby been authorized/guaranteed by the National Central Bureau of Interpol,Federal Bureau of Investigation and United Nation to commence towards completing this transaction, as there shall be no delay once payment for the approval slip has been made to the authorized agent. Once you have completed payment of $150 to the agent in charge of this transaction, immediately contact us back for more investigation for conformation of your ATM card. The both offices are working 24hours to get this project complete. Yours in service, Robert.s.Mueller FBI director

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam