419 scam: "Christopher A. Wray" <winstonpg@winstonengineering.com.my> Re: Important Update.

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- gerald.russo@accountant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Christopher A. Wray" <winstonpg@winstonengineering.com.my>
Reply-To: christoph.wray@usa.com
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2022 20:38:32 +0800
Subject: Re: Important Update.

CHRISTOPHER A. WRAY.
DIRECTOR " FBI".
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI.
WASHINGTON DC.

Federal Bureau of Investigation and Interpol Agency.

Dear Beneficiary,

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington, DC branch in
conjunction with other investigating agencies and the International
Monetary Fund here in the United States of America have recently been
informed through our Global Intelligence Monitoring Network that you
have an over-due payment in tune of $10,500,000.00 with Robins
Financial Credit Union.

It might interest you to know that we have taken our time in screening
through this project as stipulated on our protocol of operation and
have finally confirmed that your payment with Robins Financial Credit
Union is 100% genuine and hitch free from all facets and of which you
have the lawful right to claim your fund without any delay.
Having said all this, we will further advise that you go ahead in
dealing with the said bank (Robins Financial Credit Union) accordingly as we will
be monitoring all activities regarding this transaction at all levels.

NOTE: You are required to contact the Head of Operations Gerald Russo and forward this email sent to you from our office as a proof to acknowledge our efforts in passing this message to you.

Kindly contact the Head of Operations with the below information:

Contact information:

Department Code: 88/RFCU/201.
Bank Name: Robins Financial Credit Union.
Address: 803 Watson Blvd, Warner Robins, GA 31093.
Attn: Gerald Russo
E-mail: gerald.russo@accountant.com
Website: www.robinsfcu.org

Contact the bank today and forward this message to them with the code
below for processing your payment/funds transaction accordingly.

(TRANSACTION CODE: 399/CF/091)

Thank you very much for your co-operation.

BEST REGARDS,

Christopher A. Wray.
Director.

Federal Bureau of Investigation.
J. Edgar Hoover Building
601,4th Street,
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C.
20535-0001, USA.

Important Notice: This message (including any attachments) is intended
only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed
and may contain information that is non-public, proprietary,
privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable
law or may constitute attorney work product. If you are not the
intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use,
dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is
strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error,
(i) destroy this message if a facsimile or (ii) delete this message
immediately if this is an electronic communication. Thank you.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam