419 scam: "Mr.Gray Gilbert" <"www."@rose.ocn.ne.jp> ATTN: From Gray Gilbert

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "vat (5%)" (VAT rate in the UK is 17.5%, check the math)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Gray Gilbert" <"www."@rose.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr.Gray Gilbert" <graygilbert0@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2017 01:52:59 +0900 (JST)
Subject: ATTN: From Gray Gilbert

FROM THE DESK OF GRAY GILBERT
VERIFICATION OFFICER CONTRACT/INHERITANCE
FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPT,
ALBANY GEORGIA.
USA
TEL: +1 (509) 498-6342

ATTN: From Gray Gilbert.

I am Gray Gilbert, the verification officer in-charge of your inheritance file, a scanned copy of my National Identity will be attached in subsequent emails for transparency. We have been carrying out verification processes, and I am glad to inform you that your payment has been verified. Please note, in the past we have had problem with hood lumps who exploit our name and company for fraudulent activities. Please do not respond to such unsolicited email without verification from this office, in view of this you are being given a code of conduct to which you should only comply to,which is; REF:ATM 3643. This will be included in all our emails that will be sent to you as regards your ATM payment, thus any email without this code of conduct should be considered as fraudulent and not from this office. Therefore to avoid complication, you are to forward such emails to us.

We have crossed checked your personal data with your Contract File: REF: US/CON/INH/ATM-3643, in line with this, we are glad to inform your that your payment is correct and has been approved, you will have to tender proper and valid Id to the delivery team on delivery.

The United State Government in bid to compensate individual whose Contract/inheritance has not been fully received is paying out Twelve Million UDS ($12,000,000) as part payment for the second part of this fiscal year 2008.

In view of this, your payment was approved as you were one of the beneficiary with outstanding payment and was therefore credited with an ATM card number: 5663 6474 5509 7712 and personal identification (PIN): 3643 worth Three Million Dollars ($3Million usd).

This card is not a debit card or neither is it a credit card, it is an Automated Teller Machine card (ATM CARD) which work in all Banks with Duly Inter switch and the funds can then be transferred into your personal account as soon you have the card if you wish to.

We are pleased to inform you that we have concluded the processing of your payment and therefore your ATM CARD is ready for dispatch.

NOTE that your ATM CARD number is 5663 6474 5509 7712 and your pin number is 3643, please keep this safe for security reasons.

The parcel to be delivered in enclosed with your Contract/Inheritance Payment Approval Letter, Tax Document Papers and ATM Brochure.

Hence, we have concluded delivery arrangement with all COURIER SERVICES, Courier Company to be fully insured by National Insurance Corporation.

As our policy, you have to be soly responsible for the delivery charges as the United State Inheritance Committee will not be responsible for the shipment of this card that that has been credited to you as the sole beneficiary.

Also personnel from this office will accompany the delivery team to instruct you on how to use the ATM card and also assist you in making your first withdrawal via Inter switch.

In view of this development, you are requested to choose from the options listed below your choice and cost of delivery.

You have to remit the necessary shipment/ delivery charges to enable us effect this proceedings.

FedEx (2working days)
Mailing

$176.00

Insurance

$100.00

Vat (5%)

$ 70.00

TOTAL

$346.00

DHL (3working days)
Mailing

$100.00

Insurance

$100.00

Vat

$ 70.00

TOTAL

$270.00

Choose from the above delivery option and make payment with the information below. Note that delivery will ONLY commence when payment is made and verified.

The charges is a bit high as it covers insurance, mailing and the personnel fee.

PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
Payments is to be made in the name of our senior accounts officer with the information below; This is the required information to make payments to; Via Western Union Money Transfer:

Receiver Name........... Conchita Frausto
Address.......... 4744 Cleary Circle Elk Grove, CA 95757. USA.

Please notify this office with receipt of payment so as to enable dispatch of your ATM card and also send the following informations as it appears on the payment slip:

Name of Sender................................
Address of Sender.............................
Amount Sent...................................
Money Transfer Control Number(MTCN)...........

Also, you are advice to send to this office a scan copy of the payment receipt as this will be to attach to your parcel to avoid being delayed by customs.

I will urge and advise to yo see to the courier charges today so that prompt delivery can commence.

Treat very urgently as we also remind you that your ATM Card is ready.

Congratulations.

Warm Regards,

Mr.Gray Gilbert.
Verification Officer Contract/Inheritance
Foreign Operation Department,
Albany Georgia, USA
Tel: +1 (509) 498-6342

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam