419 scam: "Detective Terry Carter" <abc@sobamaru.com> U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "international court of justice" (not involved with lotteries)
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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: "Detective Terry Carter" <abc@sobamaru.com>
Reply-To: iterryoffice@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2016 10:00:40 -0600
Subject: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Los Angeles International Airport
3200 East Alfield Los California 75261
Director's Office In Charge
Detective Terry Carter
Text me MESSAGE BELOW.(707) 383-7366
Attention:
I am here to update you that information reaching us from our Attorney Mr.=
Davis Ryan from Supreme Court of California said that the Honorable chief j=
udge of international court of justice Mr.Peter Philip has declare Mr. Thom=
as Allen an innocent and they will released him from jail on Wednesday and =
hand him over your Consignment Box worth of $15.5million as representative,
Mr.Thomas Allen is your Attorney and 53 years old and 4.3 inches tall, he =
is located at 0801 9th Avenue North California city. Mr. Thomas Allen. The =
Los Angeles Airport Customs said that if you the beneficiary has not comply=
under 24hrs that all your effort to receive your consignment trunk boxes w=
ill be in vain to another man's favor.
As Mr.Thomas Allen told the Supreme Court of California at the first time =
that you left all your title on his care as your next of kin,Based on board=
of directors meeting,they have concluded to approve the consignment Trunk =
Boxes on favor of your representative Mr. Thomas Allen due to he have submi=
tted all the documentation to the Supreme Court of California and passport =
for evidence that you left all your title on his care as your next of kin t=
o take care of your children.
I have been doing my best here to assist you in receiving your consignment=
trunk boxes so that money you have spent on this delivery will not be in v=
ain and I'm believing that you are a reliable person,and I trusted you to b=
e a good person, that is why I have been protecting your consignment trunk =
boxes, handling it as if it is mine,
However. we need your absolute co-operation with the payment information $=
140 to obtained the needed certificate from Benin Customs Head Office as th=
e origin of your consignment trunk boxes to enable diplomat make the delive=
ry to your home address today.
I will advice you to try all you could to make sure you send the fee today=
,you can even looking for way to borrow it there and send it asap and recei=
ve your consignment Trunk Boxes and pay any body or person that you have be=
en borrowed from.
However, Kindly use the money gram or western union money transfer(WU)rece=
iver's details below to effect this fee as soon as you receive this notific=
ation response today so as to facility shipment of your Consignment Box to =
your doorstep as quickly as possible:
Receiver's Data / information:
Name: Rozella Wiitmeyer.
Address: 1109 Lake Haven Drive Little Elm Texas 75068.
Text Question: When
Answer: Today
Sender's Name...
MTCN/Reference#...
Amount: $140
If they receive the fee, I assure you that you are going to confirm your p=
ackage WITHIN 7HRS through our choosing Diplomatic Agent.
I shall try my possible best to make sure you receive your consignment Box=
es today. and will like you to Take my word because i am strongly beside yo=
u and my effort to this does not end until you confirm the availability of =
your fund in your hands.
Yours sincerely
Detective Terry Carter.
Text message only.(707) 383-7366

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam