419 scam: "Homeland Security"<postmaster@gmail.com> FOR YOUR OWN GOOD...

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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Homeland Security" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tomridge01@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2015 17:05:54 +0100
Subject: FOR YOUR OWN GOOD...

SECRET SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
WASHINGTON,DC 20528,USA.

Good day, This is the Department of Homeland Security we
have vital
mission: to secure the nation from the many threats we face
as well as
internet Fraud. This requires the dedication of more than
230,000
employees in jobs that range from aviation and border
security to
emergency response, from cyber security analyst to chemical
facility
inspector. Our duties are wide-ranging, but our goal is
clear -
keeping America safe.

We are happy to inform you that your funds valued at
US$10,700,000.00
(Ten million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)
have been
approved by the Treasury Department of the United States.
Kindly get back to us for further directives.

Note: Do not reply to any e-mail that comes from the FBI
Director
Robert S. Mueller III or James Comey Jr. The FBI director does not e-mail
people; He
will rather send an agent to your door step in person. Do
not fall a
victim of scam again, a word is enough for the wise.

Thank you and have a good day.
Signed:
Joseph P Clancy

Director, United States Secret Service
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528,USA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam