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.
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:
"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. )
"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. )
"mtcn" (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. )
"are expected to pay " (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)
"united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
"courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
iiinffouemassyi@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Regard, Mr Fedrick Bush," <fill5r@peoplepc.com> Reply-To: "Regard, Mr Fedrick Bush," <iiinffouemassyi@rocketmail.com> Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 02:03:46 -0700 (GMT-07:00) Subject: ATTENTION: GREETING FROM USA EMBASSY
U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Washington , DC 20520 Greeting from USA Embassy,
THIS MAIL IS ONLY FOR THE OWNER OF THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS
ATTENTION: GREETING FROM USA EMBASSY
This
is to notify you that your consignment has been in our custody waiting
for your comply before the delivery will be effected to your delivery
address. We have been waiting for you to contact uregarding your
consignment box which Courier Company suppose to deliver and your
WESTERN UNION PAYMENT to you which was on hold by US Department of State
Bureau and requesting for clearance certificate which will be obtain
from the origination of the consignment box before it
will be released.
As a result of you not comply within duration
given by Benin Government that is the reason the consignment box was
diverted to treasury.All the walfare of United States Citizen is my
consine. Am here to take the protocol of all our citizens to not be
cheated by Africans. After the meeting held by our boad of director
which was concluded that the delivery of your consignment to your
address must be complete
within three working days upon your
comply to our requirement which is by sending the sum of $55.00 to
enable us obtain the needed certificate and effect with the delivery of
your consignment immediately. Note that your consignment box has been
arrived in US embassy and waiting to receive clearance certificate
before the gate pass is given. Meanwhile you are advice to reconfirm the
belowinformation upon contacting us to avoid delivery to wrong person.
1, Your full name
2, Your home address
3,
Your occupation
4, Direct Telephone Number
Once you
notify us with the above information we will release your consignment to
you,Contact the Embassy Office Direct with the following information
Below,Contact person, Mr. Fedrick Bush
Email (iiinffouemassyi@rocketmail.com)
Note
that you are expected to pay only $55.00 for clearance certificate and
you are to pay it to Benin Republic as the origination of the
consignment box infavour of Mr Chris Bala as our accountant officer in
Benin Republic Send the $55.00 through western unionor Money Gram once
you receive this mail with the information below for immediate release
of your consignment box,
RECEIVER NAME?????????? CHINAKA NZE
Country: ?????????? BENIN REPUBLIC
City??????????????????COTONUO
Test Question:?????????? WHO IS THE RECEIVER
Answer :?????????? Mr.CHINAKA NZE
Amount: ?????????? $55.00
Once
you send the money, try to
notify us with the MTCN for easy pick up and for immediate action on
the release of your consignment. Please treat this as matter of urgency
.Note that any uncliam consignment will be return to the Courier Company
after 3 days for final divertion. So you are urgently advise to comply
with our demand so that we will release your consignment.
Regard, Mr Fedrick Bush, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs FROM UNITED STATE OF AMERICA
