419 scam: "Federal Bureau of Investigation"<info@gov.fbi.org> Payment Code: R5109176K

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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:
- "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. )
- ",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)
- "robert mueller" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real FBI will not tell you to contact some email address. If you are in any doubt, contact an FBI field office via www.fbi.gov. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Federal Bureau of Investigation" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <robertmuellerr@yahoo.cn>
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 19:02:09 +0200
Subject: Payment Code: R5109176K

Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI Seattle Divisionuse
1110 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101-2904
Payment Code: R5109176K
Reg No: 132731593

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has discovered through our intelligence Monitoring Network that you are
eligible to receive the sum of $7,500,000.00 USD regarding to an over-due Inheritance/Award payment which was fully
endorsed to be paid in your favour.therefore,the FBI Seattle Division in conjunction with the United States
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Has screened through our various Monitoring Networks and has been confirmed
and notified that the transaction you have with the Financial Institution is Legal and you have the Lawful Right
to claim your due fund.

The President His Excellency Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar Adua President of the Federal republic of Nigeria has given us
the final approval to pay your fund to you within the next 48hrs, Your fund valued $7,500,000.00 USD has been
deposited into a Gold smart Card number: 5179-1234-5678-9120 personal identification is ATM- 7997 this card will
enable you buy and withdrawal cash anywhere around the world this is done for your own security, with this card you
will not have to take the risk of sending us your personal banking details online as you have been strongly advise
by your local bank not to send your banking details to anyone online.

What you are required to do now to Pay the fees of $380.00 USD for the shipment of your Gold Smart card to your
choice location, $380.00 USD is the only fees that has been approved by both the FBI and the Bank that you are to
pay as cost of Delivery of your Card to you by the courier company.Once the fees is been paid your ATM CARD will
get to you in the next 2-3 working day.

Note: Your funds are protected by a hardcover insurance policy, which makes it Impossible to deduct any amount from
the money before it can be remitted to you.this means that the above charges cannot be deducted from the Funds and
hence must be provided by you before your fund is transferred to you.the payment for any of the above options
should be sent via Western Union Money Transfer in the name of the Head of accounts Mr. ALEX OWO.
Find below the payment information.

Name of receiver: Alex Owo
Office Address: 47 St John Street Victoria Island, Lagos 23401
Nigeria.
Text Question: making friends
Answer: Good
Name of Sender:.....................
Address of Sender:..................
MTCN#...............................
Amount....$380

As soon as we receive your payment, he shall proceed with your fund transfer immediately.
We anticipate your prompt response. If you need to contact me at any stage please do not hesitate to call (+1-206-
203-4190)

Sincerely,
Steven M. Dean (Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge)
cc Robert Mueller (FBI Director)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam