419 scam: "FROM F.B.I OFFICE" <officef053@gmail.com> Attention Dear Beneficiary

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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:
- "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "million dollars" (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: "FROM F.B.I OFFICE" <officef053@gmail.com>
Reply-To: officefile7770@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2022 04:46:22 -0700
Subject: Attention Dear Beneficiary

FBI- Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Federal Government Office
Address: 26 Federal Plaza 23rd floor New York, NY 10278, USA

Note: If you found this email in your junk/spam, it's because of your
internet ISP server.

I'm contacting you by your email however; I feel it's best and more
convenient for me to explain why I am contacting you. I am Mr.
Johnson Phillips the United States New Appointed FBI fraud
Investigator here in New York City, I work hand in hand with the
United States Fraud Unit of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
I specialize in Background Investigations on funds which
include[COMPENSATION/INHERITANCE FUNDS OR NEXT OF KIN,CONSIGNMENT BOX,
LOTTOÂ® JACKPOT, LOANS]
However,i wish to inform you that the World Governing Bodies: The IMF,
United Nations Organization, World Bank Group, United States
Government, British Government and the European Union Commission
Committee has approved the release of your funds worth $8.5 million
dollars. Therefore, we carried out an investigation last few day, For
your information, it was truly confirmed that you have 100% Legitimate
unpaid funds which was awarded to you by the government of USA and you
have every right to claim this funds as you have been confirmed to be
the rightful Beneficiary of the said amount $8.5 Million usd approved
for payment by Office of the Presidency here in United States. This
announcement has to be made open to you because you may have being
swindled by those unscrupulous people whom you might have sent money
in the course of getting one fund or the other which is not real and
for this reason, I have decided to help you get your funds directly
from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) because your
Legitimate funds still remains unpaid.

Are you interested in receiving your unpaid legitimate funds valued
$8.5 Million usd? I will only be of help if you agreed to follow my
instructions.
If you're really interested in receiving your unpaid $8.5 Million USD,
I advise that you get back to me immediately. All I need is your
cooperation and understanding.
The only money you have to pay is $200 to obtain a full legal Anti
Terrorist Clearance Certificate to show that your funds is no way
related to fraud or drug money.
Please respond back immediately with the below information for
reconfirmation by clicking Reply

(1)Full name......
(2)Mobile number.....
(3)Home address.....
(4)Country..........
(5)Occupation.......
Thanks
Your in service.
Mr. Johnson Phillips.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam