419 scam: "Mr James Comey"<jamesc@aol.com> UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- americadeliverycomapny1200@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr James Comey" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <americadeliverycomapny1200@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2016 13:04:00 -0800
Subject: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535

The BRITISH High Commission we received a report of scam against you and
other British/US whom the country of meetiang held with Government and the
world high commissions against fraud activities by Citizens, Your are
among those scam as listed by the Financial Intelligent Unit (NFIU). A
re-compensation has been issued out in ATM DEBIT CARD of $2,316,000USD
(Two Million, Three Hundred and Sixteen thousand United States dollars)
and has already been in distribution to you has a Victim.

Your ATM CARD was among those that was reported undelivered as we wish to
advise you to see to the instructions of the Committee to make sure you
receive your ATM CARD immediately for your usage. NFIU further told us
that the use of the Couriers was abolished due to interception activities
noticed in the above mentioned courier services in wish the Financial
Intelligent Unit have made a concrete arrangement with the Courier Company
for a safe delivery to your door-step once the beneficiary meets up the
demand of the conveyance.

We advise that you do the needful to make sure them dispatches your
recompense on time. You are assured of the safety of your ATM CARD
availability,also be advised that you should stop further contacts with
all the fake lawyers and security companies who in collaboration have a
scam deal with you immediately to check if the delivery date suits you.

You have to stop all contact with in any other company emailing you
online concerning Money, and make sure you forward to them all thier email
and mobile number and you will contact Mr. David Beardsley for your ATM
DEBIT CARD through his email: (americadeliverycomapny1200@gmail.com) Let
us know immediately you receive it there.

Yours truly,

MR. JAMES COMEY
DIRECTOR
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam