419 scam: "Dir. Christopher Wray" <offile217@gmail.com> CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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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:
- ",500,000" (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: "Dir. Christopher Wray" <offile217@gmail.com>
Reply-To: christopherwray.fbi2021@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2021 09:22:53 -0600
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!

--
This is to inform you that we have been working towards the
eradication of fraudsters and scam Artists in Africa with the help of
the Organization of African Unity (AU) United Nations (UN), European
Union (EU). We have been able to track down some scam artist in
various parts of African countries which includes (Nigeria, Republic
of Benin, Ghana and Senegal with cote d'ivoire ) and they are all in
Government custody now, they will appear International Criminal Court
(ICC) soon for Justice.

During the course of investigation, they were able to recover some
funds from these scam artists and IMF organizations have ordered the
funds recovered to be shared among the 10 Lucky people listed around
the World as compensation. This notice has been directed to you
because your email address was found in one of the scam Artists file
and computer hard-disk during the investigation, maybe you have been
scammed.

You are therefore being compensated with sum of $5,500,000.00 valid
into an (ATM Card Number 4848421098879602) Since your email address is
among the lucky beneficiaries who will receive a compensation funds,
we have arranged your payment to be paid to you through ATM VISA CARD
and deliver to your postal address with the Pin Numbers to enable you
to withdraw a maximum of $25,000 on each withdrawal from any Bank ATM
Machine of your choice, until all the funds are exhausted. The ATM
Card with Security Pin Numbers shall be delivered to you using Express
Mail Service (DHL). The package is coming from Uganda . don't forget
to reconfirm the following information.

1. Your Full Name:
2. Address Where You want us to Send Your ATM Card
3. Cell/Mobile Number:

We advise you to stop all communications with everyone regarding your
payment as we have short listed to deliver to you and now urge you to
comply and receive your ATM Card funds. Thanks for your understanding
as you follow instructions while I wait to hear from you today.

BEST REGARDS!
MR. CHRISTOPHER WRAY

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam