419 scam: "Ambassador James f. Entwistle," <mrjamessmith2011@yahoo.com> This is Ambassador James f. Entwistle. The United State of America Ambassador

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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:
- "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. )
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Ambassador James f. Entwistle," <mrjamessmith2011@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: jamesf.entwistle622@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 05:19:45 +0800
Subject: This is Ambassador James f. Entwistle. The United State of America Ambassador to Nigeria.

2-walter carrington crescent,
Victoria island, nigerian.
Date: 28/06/2014

Attn: Dear Donafide Beneficiary,

This is Ambassador James f. Entwistle. The United State of America
Ambassador to Nigeria.

There is a report reaching my desk from the office of the Nigeria
ministry of finance that an ATM master card valued at $1.2 m usd
issued in your name by first bank plc as one of the Nigeria scam
victims.

I shall be coming to the state for an official meeting this Monday
and i intend bringing along the ATM master card this time, i shall not
go through customs because as the u.s ambassador to Nigeria, i am an
agent of the united states government and have the veto power to go
through customs without interrogation/inspection.

As soon as i am through with the meeting i shall then proceed to your
address right there in your state. (please you have to re-confirm with
me your correct info where the said ATM card are to be delivered to
avoid wrong delivery)

I discovered that you have really paid so much regard to this ATM
master card in the past that makes me to take the matter by myself
now. You are a very lucky person because i shall be bringing it myself
and there is no one that will stop this motive so long as am concern
only if you can follow my advice and be happy indeed!!

Your ATM master card($1.2m) must be registered as an ambassadorial
package for me to defeat all odds, and the cost of registering it is
has just been confirmed at $77 and the fee must be paid in the
next 72 hours via western union so that all necessary arrangement can
be made before time will be against us.

Send the fee via western union transfer using our agent name/info below:

Receiver's Name: Agiliga Philip
Country: Lagos-Nigeria
Text Question: Good
Answer: Service
Amount $77 only
Mtcn Numbers.....
Senders Name........
Senders Address.......

As soon as you send the fee make sure you send me the payment
information. I have already made my flight arrangements and waiting on
the fee to enable me registered your package today as an ambassadorial
package. I expect you to comply so that your delivery can be
completed. See the attached file for my identification.

Regards,

Ambassador James f. Entwistle,
United state of .America Ambassador

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam