419 scam: "MRS.ELAINE DUKE" <"www."@dhs.gov> U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY,

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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. )
- "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. )
- "are expected to pay " (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS.ELAINE DUKE" <"www."@dhs.gov>
Reply-To: "MRS.ELAINE DUKE" <dhs.department@borda.ru>
Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2017 23:14:27 +0900 (JST)
Subject: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY,

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY,
MG Timothy J. Lowenberg,Adjutant General and Director State Military
Department Washington Military Dept., Bldg1 Camp Murry ,Wash
93430-880 USA
Greetings From Department Of HomeLand Security (DHS).

Attention Dear Citizen!
This is to notify you that your consignment Box has been in our custody for 3 weeks now. We have been waiting for you to contact us regarding your consignment box which Courier

Company suppose to deliver to you which is on hold by U.S.A. HomeLand Security Department Bureau and requesting for clearance certificate which will be obtain from the

origination of the consignment box before it will be released. As a result of you not comply within duration given by Benin Government that is the reason the consignment box was

diverted to treasury but the government of American have decide to make American Citizen happy by been willing to release all the packages that is on hold due to one reason or the

other. Your Consignment Box content is the sum of $15 Millions USD written with your name as the beneficiary.
After the meeting held by our Board of Directors which was concluded that the delivery of your consignment to your address must be completed within 48hrs.Therefore,you have obtain

Clearance Certificate from the Country of Origination o your Consignment Box which is going to cost you $150 only. As soon as you comply to our requirement which is by sending the

sum of $150 for the needed certificate. Your consignment Box will be release immediately for onward delivery to your house without any further delay, we decide to contact you

because we confirm some offices are trying to deceive you. Note that your consignment box is in US Department of Homeland Security and waiting to receive clearance certificate

before the gate pass is given. Meanwhile, you are advice to reconfirm the below information upon contacting us to avoid delivery to wrong person.
1. Full name:
2. Address:
3. Occupation:
4. Cell-Phone:
5. Nearest Airport:
Once you notify us with the above information include with the $150 payment we will release your consignment Box to you. Note that you are expected to pay only $150.00 for the

Clearance Certificate and you are to pay it in Benin Republic as the origination of the consignment box. You are expected to reply with the above needed information of yours also ask

of the information to Send the $150.00 once you receive this mail for immediate release of your $15 Million Cash Consignment Box.
Remember to contact us with your delivery information.

Thanks,
Mrs.Elaine Duke,
Homeland Security Secretary
Email:dhs.department@borda.ru
Tel: (202) 559-6854

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam