419 scam: "william mercy." <marriarace@yahoo.fr> Attn: Customer,

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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:
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- "tax clearance" (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 document" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "william mercy." <marriarace@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: unitedparcelservice39@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2012 09:30:54 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Attn: Customer,

Attn: Customer,

In respect of your Package, we receive in our office today through your Agent from the Finance Compensation Ministry, for the delivery of your (ATM MASTER CARD) Parcel to you, in your Location. You are advice to Re-confirm your Name, Contact address and Phone number to our office again for Verification Delivery Scan before delivery to you immediately.

Your parcel has been registered for delivery, but has not been released to your location due to the needed Courier Charges and Confirmation Document from the Immigration Office and International Delivery Officer Stamp duty and not a Postage Stamp due to your consignment. You need this International Delivery Officer Stamp duty for (Federal Airports Authority of Benin) FAAB for express delivery and security reasons from United Kingdom Courier /Immigration Government. Cost of Confirmation Document from the (Federal Airports Authority of Benin) FAAB Immigration Office and International Delivery Officer Stamp Duty TAX are US$155.00 Only (Note that, this is the only money you are to send to this office).
Be informed that this is the only payment, you are to send to enable our Dispatched office release youâ€™re Parcel to you and we can also send you a assurance letter from our office to notify you in respect of this delivery process. You are to send the fees through Money Gram before 48 hours time to our office, to enable our office release the Consignment (ATM MASTER CARD) to you and as soon as you have done the payment, send the payment detail with the informationâ€™s.
Officer In-Charge Payment Details;
Secretary Receiver Name: LAWRENCE OZEKWE.
Receiver Contact Address: Cotonou-Benin.
Text Question: Color
Answer: Red
Amount: US$155.00 Include Tax Clearance Document Fees.
Best regard
william mercy.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam