419 scam: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION <info@fbi.gov> URGENT RESPONSE!

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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION <info@fbi.gov>
Reply-To: afarresr@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 16 May 2019 13:54:51 -0700
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE!

--
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
J.EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE,
NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535-0001

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR.
Christopher A. Wray

NOTICE!!!

Our Ref: (Ref Vibe # FRS/019223/UN00155127/CONTRACT E/615AX).

To. Beneficiary:

We use this opportunity to confirm from you if really you have sent
your Doctor as a representative. However, we received an email from one
Dr. Mrs. Emlyn Croker yesterday who told us that she is your private
Doctor and next of kin and that you died of cancer recently. Her contact
details: Address: 523 Starks Croker RD ST. Stephen, SC 29479, USA.
Beneficiary: Dr. Mrs. Emlyn Croker. But from our findings through IRS we
could not find any death record about you.
Please confirm to us immediately that you are alive.

Note that we are bound to recognize Dr. Mrs. Emlyn Croker's claim if
you fail to promptly respond.
We decided to write to your email and if there is no reply of this
message from you within 48 hrs it will be assumed that her information
is correct then we shall work with your representative and do what she
has requested.

An irrevocable payment guarantee has been issued by the United Nations
(UN) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on your Payment, AND THIS
PAYMENT HAVE BEEN VERIFIED BY WORLD BANK. However, we are happy to
inform you that based on our recommendation/Instructions youâ€™re complete
Compensation fund of USD$4,000,000.00 through a secured/certified mode
of payment. This fund is help you establish something good and help the
poor people in your community.

YOU ARE ADVISED TO FOLLOW THIS INSTRUCTION STRICTLY.
CONTACT AGENT Aubrey Farrar Sr.

Best Regard,
Christopher A. Wray
Director
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam