419 scam: "Antony Blinken" <info@usa.net> URGENT MESSAGE

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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:
- "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. )
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
- "transfer into your account" (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 united state 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)
- "million us 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Antony Blinken" <info@usa.net>
Reply-To: <my0fficedatafile32@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2023 18:21:51 -0700
Subject: URGENT MESSAGE

I am Hon. Mr. Antony J. Blinken. USA Secretary of State & Chairman
Refund Payment Committee, Federal Executive Council Washington DC USA.
I greet you with the name of the LORD Almighty the giver of every good
thing. I know this letter may come to you as a surprise.Nevertheless,
I humbly ask you to give me your attention and hear me well.
I would like to inform you that your funds issue worth the total
sum of $2.5Million US Dollars was brought to my office by Mr. Charles W. Scharf .

Mr. Charles W. Scharf stated that you have finally disclaim your
United Nations Compensation fund worth $2.5Million United State
Dollars and his purpose of visiting my office is to seek support and
have my signature on the documents for easy confiscation of your
Compensation to the government budget account since you don't want to
receive it. But with humanitarian ground and sympathy I refused to
sign the documents. However, I immediately called up the Mrs. Gita
Gopinath deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund
and explained your matter to her as regards to your payment and she
personally called Mr. Charles W. Scharf to reduce the payment from
$499 to $99 in order to help you afford the fee and obtain the
Tax Clearance Certificate before the said fund will hit your bank
account or ATM Visa Card will be delivery to your home address.

Please, This is a lifetime opportunity and we will advise you to
take advantage of it before it will become too late to do so. This
could be the last opportunity you might have in receiving your ATM
package so do not fail to notice this wonderful moment to have your
fund that you have been looking for a way to make it reality. This is
an official notification and we advise you to treat it with utmost
urgency. Please find the payment data to buy the $99 buy Steam card
or Nordstrom Card or Sephora Card and send the Card picture to me.

You are required to pay the $99.00 as soon as possible and remember
that this US$99.00 is the ONLY charge you will EVER pay before the
fund will be transfer into your account or ATM Master Card will be
delivered to your home address Depending on the choice which you wants
to receive your money. You would send the $99 via Nordstrom Card or
Steam Wallet to receive your Compensation fund worth $2.5Million
United State Dollars in your bank account or deliver an ATM Visa Card
direct to your home address.

You will never pay a dime again as agreed and signed down here in
Court that you will never pay any other money apart from the
$99.00.Bear in mind that I have taken my time to be in charge of your
funds. Therefore, the days of you being subjected to paying twice
Double Payment is over as that is the case with some corrupt officials
down there in Africa. Thanks for adhering to this instructions which
are meant for your sole benefit, once again accept my congratulations
in advance. Thanks for your cooperation as your quick response to this
email notice with adherence to the above instructions is highly
anticipated. Congrats to you in advance.

Thank you, God bless you, God bless the United States of America.

Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Antony John Blinken
Honorable USA Secretary of State
Federal Executive Council Washington DC USA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam