419 scam: "Mr. Christopher Wray" <peterochayi86@gmail.com> Federal Bureau of Investigation

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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:
- "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)
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.
- christopherwray94@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Christopher Wray" <peterochayi86@gmail.com>
Reply-To: christopherwray94@aol.com
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2023 09:10:02 +0100
Subject: Federal Bureau of Investigation

--
ATTENTION FROM THE FBI!!!

I'm FBI Director
Mr. Christopher A Wray, the United States FBI Director, I work hand in
hand with the United States Fraud Unit of the Criminal Investigation
Division (CID). I'm specialized in Background Investigations on funds
which include (INHERITANCE/COMPENSATION, NEXT OF KIN, FUNDS
Consignment Box, Lotto JACKPOT, LOANS) and I noticed that you have
been receiving numerous email from different people and organization
claiming you
as the beneficiary of certain amount of money that they have for you
or the government instructed them to give you the funds which is not
true. an investigation was made and they were confirmed
to be a fraudsters who steal people hard earned money.
so i advice you to stop any other communication you are having with
anyone or an office to avoid being scammed.
I wish to announce our successful
investigation which was carried out few days ago; I guess it will
interest you to know why this investigation was conducted.

For your
information, it was truly that you have 100% Legitimate unpaid
transaction and you have every
right to claim this funds as you're been confirmed to be the rightful
owner of the said amount Five million, five hundred thousand dollars
($5.5 Million US Dollar).

Contacting Email address; christopherwray94@aol.com
And reconfirm your information below;

Your Full name...
Your Home address...
Your Phone number...
Your Occupation...
Your Country...
Your sexâ€¦

Best regards
MR. Christopher Wray.

The FBI managing director.

Website link: FBI.gov

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam