419 scam: "BRITISH PETROLEUM (BP)"<webmaster@gxq.com.cn> DEAR WINNER (CONTACT THE COURIER COMPANY FOR DELIVERY)

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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:
- "national lottery promotion" (no such lottery exists)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million pounds" (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)
- ",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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
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.
- +447012981372 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- serviceglobecourier@post.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "BRITISH PETROLEUM (BP)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <british_petroleum.bp@london.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2012 09:47:09 -0700
Subject: DEAR WINNER (CONTACT THE COURIER COMPANY FOR DELIVERY)

BRITISH PETROLEUM BP
International Lottery Promotion Office
1 St James's Square,London,SW1Y 4PD UK
Direct Phone: +447012981372

DEAR WINNER

This is to acknowledge the receipt of the forwarded data as requested. We do believe that the Lottery fund will be put into good use.
On Behalf of the Lottery Committee of BRITISH PETROLEUM BP, I wish to formally announce to you that we have successfully concluded the verification process, hence you are therefore cleared and paid in full £1,500,000.00 (Two Million Pounds Sterling) which Certified Cheque i have signed in your favor

Documents Includes The Following:
1. Certified Cheque in your Name valued £1,500,000.00 Pounds Sterling
2. Certificate of Lottery Award by British Petroleum BP Head Office.
3. Letter of Affidavits from British Government stating that the Lottery was obtained legally through British Petroleum BP Lottery Programm.

These documents have been securely sealed and parceled for security reasons which makes it impossible for anyone to view it until its been delivered to you by our affiliate Courier Company.

However,you are required to contact our affiliate Courier Company (GLOBAL COURIER SERVICES ) within the next 48 hours of receiving this mail, providing them with the below details.

1. Full Names:
2. Phone Number:
3. Complete Mailing Address of Your Residents and Country where your parcel will be delivered:

CONTACT: Global Courier customer desk with the following details below:

Name: Mrs Carol Featherstone.
Address: Hesketh House,43-45 Portman Square,London W1H 6HN,UK
E-mail: serviceglobecourier@post.com

NOTE: Services rendered by GLOBAL COURIER SERVICES are to be paid by you and not we BRITISH PETROLEUM BP Lottery board.

Best Regards,
Mr. Charles Woodgate (Finance Manager)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam