419 scam: Rev Father Joseph Godwin <offfffice799@gmail.com> Good day

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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 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. )
- "certificate 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. )
- "security keeping 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. )
- "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. )
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: Rev Father Joseph Godwin <offfffice799@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Rev Father Joseph Godwin <revfathejosephgodwin@yandex.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2015 20:16:47 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Good day

This is Rev,Father Joseph Godwin based in INDIA ST FRANCIS CHURCH GOA, I therefore officially inform you that your (ATM
Card Number 506119102227445160 ) which has been with me for far too long which you were supposed to refund me the money i paid to the BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION and have me mail to you before this moment. Your Personal Identification Number is 201.

I have been waiting for you since to contact me for your loaded ATM CARD of ( $3.5 million United States Dollars ) after the conclusion to pay you through ATM VISA CARD. However, you can withdraw in an ATM MACHINE in any part of the world and the maximum you can withdraw a day is ( $5,000 United State Dollars ), but I did not hear from you since then ,Then I went and deposited the package ATM CARD with TNT Express Courier company India Republic, as I traveled out of the country for a short Course and I will not come back till end December 2015.

For your information, I have paid for the delivering charges,Clearance Certificate Fee of the ATM CARD showing that it is not a Drug Money nor to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country, The only money you will send to the Courier company to deliver your ATM CARD direct to your postal Address in your country is $135 Only, being their Security Keeping Fees of the TNT Courier Company so far, i will send you the courier company contact immediately i hear from you.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam