419 scam: "Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske" <"U."@philanthropies.org> =?utf-8?Q?From:_U.S_Customs_and_Border

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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:
- "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. )
- "fbi washington" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real FBI will not tell you to contact some email address. If you are in any doubt, contact an FBI field office via www.fbi.gov. )
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.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22998800152 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske" <"U."@philanthropies.org>
Reply-To: "Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske" <u.s.customsandborderprotect9@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 6 May 2017 11:48:28 +0900 (JST)
Subject: =?utf-8?Q?From:_U.S_Customs_and_Border_Protection=C2=AD?=

From: U.S Customs and Border Protection ÂCOMMISSIONER R. GIL KERLIKOWSKE

Attention.Â

We the U.S Customs and Border ProtectionÂÂ, attached to the World Bank
group, and federal bureau of investigatiÂÂon. The FedEx CouriÂer
Company
Diplomat has arrived to hand over your pÂackage, but unfortuÂnate he
can not get to your addrÂess, we minimize theÂ excesses of crime,

most importantly, moÂnetary movement fromÂ African and United Kingdom
to the United States of America. BeneficÂÂiary this is to notÂify you
that we have giving you(24hours) two worÂÂking day extension to
provide the required documents demanded from you forÂ proper
certificatiÂon of your fund.

We work in affÂiliation with FBI, IÂRS and carry out the required duty
as mandated by FBI Washington dc, we neeÂÂd the below stated document
(Homeland Security document) before the Âdiplomat will depart to hand
over your package to you.Â

If after this grace, you do not get backÂ to us with the aboÂve listed
document by sending the sum of $150 USD Âto the information below for
the securing of the Homeland Security doÂÂcument we shall conÂsider
this
money as an act of terrorism,money laundÂÂering and drug trafÂficking.
Our security men will then head to your ÂCity to apprehend you and
bring you in for further interrogation.Â

Contact our representative in Nevada USA for the obtaining of the
Homeland Security document viaÂ Telephone Number (Â+229 9880 0152 )

for proper briefing and obtaining of theÂ Homeland Security document
from the MINISTER OF JUSTICE.

The Homeland Security document will cost you only $150 USD which you
are to send it through WESTERN UNION OR ÂMONEY GRAM immediately with
the giving information below to Andrea Murphy

Name= Andrea Murphy.
Address= 4060 Partridge Lane
Washoe Valley, Nevada
89704, USA.
Amount: $150 USDÂ

Update us back with the confirmation digÂÂit number of the paÂyment for
verification purposeÂ.Â

Thanks.Â
From: U.S Customs and Border ProtectionÂ
Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam