419 scam: "MR. LAWRENCE ADAMS"<customerservice@ve.co.uk> SIR YOUR PACKAGE IS AVAILABLE 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:

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 fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "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.
- +2347082095214 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. LAWRENCE ADAMS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lawrenceadamsc@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 30 May 2014 12:00:23 -0400
Subject: SIR YOUR PACKAGE IS AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY.

GATE-WAY DELIVERY SERVICE
21 Alen Street, Plot 34/35 Oshodi-Apapa Express
Way Off Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Lagos State ,
Nigeria
Phone: +2347082095214
Fax: +2347090062549

Dear Valued Customer

I wish to inform you that your information has been received for the delivery to your package which was received here in our office yesterday by the Nigeria Atm Office (Mr. John Eze) and also note that all delivery certificate has been issued to ensure that your package is been delivered to you without any governmental problems such as the Customs, Immigration, IMF, FBI, Inter-pol and other relevant agencies.

However, it is very important to let you know that your package tracking number will be release to you as soon as you are able to send the administrative charges, So you are to send the delivery charges to enable us deliver your package to your door step within 48hours as soon as the payment is been confirmed.

So note that you are to send the payment via western union with the stated information below and also note that you are to send the payment confirmation details as soon as the payment is been sent to enable us complete your package delivery to your reconfirmed address without any further delay.

Delivery Charges:-------------------$60
Clearance fee:-----------------------$10
Tax:----------------------------------$16
Vat:----------------------------------$20

Receiver’s Name: Osuji Eze
Receiver’s Address: Lagos-Nigeria
Text Question: Fast
Text Answer: Day
Amount: $106

I shall be waiting for the payment confirmation details as soon as the payment is been sent via western union as was stated with the information above, so you have to act very urgent to this matter to enable us dispatch your package immediately.

Sender’s Name:…………………………
Sender’s Address:………………………………..
MTCN Number:…………………………………………..

For further Details/Inquiries please contact via phone: +2347082095214

Yours Faithfully,

MR. LAWRENCE ADAMS
New Director
Gate-Way Delivery Service.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam