419 scam: "Mr. DOUGLAS E.SHULMAN" <officefile2162@gmail.com> FROM DESK OF COMMISSIONER U.S.A.INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE DEPARTMENT

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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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "cotonou" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. DOUGLAS E.SHULMAN" <officefile2162@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mr. DOUGLAS E.SHULMAN" <mrdouglasshulman2@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2015 01:57:41 +0900 (JST)
Subject: FROM DESK OF COMMISSIONER U.S.A.INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE DEPARTMENT

U.S.A. Internal Revenue Service Department.
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
Greeting from USA I.R.S

The issue of receipt of your package with No.-35460021, Allocation No:
674632 Password No: 339331, Pin Code No: 55674 and your Certificate of
Merit Payment No: 103, Released Code No: 0763; Immediate Telex
confirmation No:-1114433; Secret Code No: XXTN013. Has been in Customs
facility custody waiting for resolutions of the clearance to further
the shipping to your delivery address by the delivery Agent who came
all the way from Africa

However your immediate response has proved beyond every reasonable
doubt that you are the owner of the Consignment Box and the
authenticity of your claim as the Commission will now appreciate it
very much if you will effectively comply strictly within the next 12
hrs to fulfill the required.

We are now compelled by reasons of your cooperation to engage the USA
customs service which is in charge of your Consignment Box to put into
effect the machinery for the immediate release of your Consignment to
you and at the same time liaise with the Rep of Benin for the
acquisition of the ownership clearance certificate.

The actual charge for the acquisition of the Clearance certificate is
$65 only and within 3 hrs of the receipt of the $65 only charge and
acquisition of the certificate, your consignment will be promptly
released for onward delivery to you. Note that the reason for the
acquisition of the clearance from Rep of Benin is because the Rep of
Benin is the port of Departure of the consignment and the origin of
the consignment.

Be assured that all necessary procedures and documentation effecting
delivery have all been fulfilled and there will not be any other
requirement for any other document or whatsoever. The delivery will be
effected at no extra cost after payment of the $65 only. Note that the
$65 only being requested is not getting into the coffers of this
commission but used to obtain the certificate in your own interest to
enable us meet up with the delivery of your package box into your
Address

This is neither a scam or a game and all procedures are open and being
followed strictly for you to be able to sue this commission or take
strict action in the event of non fulfillment of delivery but I give
you a %100 guarantee of immediate delivery upon receipt of the $65
only today been 09/12/2015.

You are hereby directed to make the payment in favor of MRS CHRIST
AMUZIE who is our resident accountant in COTONOU to immediately make
the acquisition of the certificate. Find below the details of the
Accountant whom you are to send the $65 WE RECEIVED ONLY money gram
ONLY.

Receiver NAME::CHRIST AMUZIE
Location Address:Cotonou Benin Republic
Test Q: When
Answer: Now
Amount: $65 only

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 a matter of urgency .Note that any unclaimed consignment
will be either confiscated or returned to the country of origin .You
are hereby urgently advised to comply with the instructions so as to
allow for immediate release and delivery of your consignment to your
location.

So you are urgently advised to comply with our directives so that the
Customs will release your consignment.
Yours Sincerely,

Mr.Douglas E.Shulman
Commissioner of U.S.A. Internal Revenue Service Department
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam