419 scam: "Public Relation Officer United State Embassy." <dhl_couriercompany2@ymail.com> Public Relation Officer United State Embassy.

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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. )
- "western union" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- beninembassey@sunumail.sn (Sunumail, Senegal; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Public Relation Officer United State Embassy." <dhl_couriercompany2@ymail.com>
Reply-To: beninembassey@sunumail.sn
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2012 18:16:10 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Public Relation Officer United State Embassy.

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington , DC 20520                          THIS E-MAIL IS ONLY FOR THE OWNER OF THIS E-MAIL ADDRESSBeneficiary/Owner number 2661428, We
write to inform you that your package with reference number 2661428 has
been in IMPEX COURIER UNITED KINGDOM facility custody waiting for
resolutions of the clearance to further the delivery to your delivery
address.. We have been waiting for you to contact us regarding your
consignment box which IMPEX COURIER suppose to deliver to you which was
on hold by US Department of State Bureau and requesting for clearance
certificate which will be obtain from the origination of the consignment
box before it will be released from London, United Kingdom. After
the meeting held with the Government of Benin Republic, it was resolved
that the delivery of your consignment to your address must be complete
within two (2) working days upon your compliance to our directives; You
should send the sum of $89.00 to obtain the needed clearance certificate
from Benin Republic.  The clearance charges which was
initially on the high price has been cut down by the US Embassy in Benin
Republic considering the poor economic situations that make it
difficult for the middle class citizens to meet up with the clearance of
their entitlement.  We will upon the confirmation of your
clearing charge assign our Diplomat Agent (Prince Dickson) to travel to
United Kingdom and collect your package and proceed with the delivery. Meanwhile you are advice to reconfirm the below information upon contacting us to avoid delivery to wrong person. 1-  Your Full Name2-  Your Delivery Address3-  Your Contact Telephone Number4-  Your Occupation5-  Your Identification (Passport number or ID Card number) Once you notify us with the above information we will release your consignment to you, You can contact us with the following information, Contact person:  Hon. Jeffery JainEmail: (beninembassey@sunumail.sn)On line Phone Call ;+ 22999-53-75-75 Note
that you are expected to send only $89.00 for clearance certificate and
you are to pay it to Benin Republic as the origination of the package
in favour of Mr. Emmanuel Nneife as our accountant officer in Benin
Republic Send the $89.00 through western union once you receive this
mail with the information below for immediate release of your package, Receivers Name: Mr. Emmanuel NneifeCountry/City: Benin Republic/CotonouTest Question: what cityAnswer: cotonouAmount: $89 Once
you send the money, try to notify us with the MTCN for easy pick up and
for immediate action on the release of your consignment. Note that any unclaimed consignment will be return to IMPEX Office in Benin after 7 days.So you are urgently advised to comply with our directives so that we will release your consignment. Yours Sincerely Hon. Jeffery Jain. Public Relation Officer United State Embassy.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam