419 scam: "Cyber Crime Investigation Unit." <info@cybercrime.org> Urgent Information From Cyber Crime Unit

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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447031826782 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Cyber Crime Investigation Unit." <info@cybercrime.org>
Reply-To: sflendergroup@live.nl
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:13:44 +0700 (WIT)
Subject: Urgent Information From Cyber Crime Unit

Attention: Scam Victim,

Good day to you. I am Gilbert McCantee a member of the British, Australia and
West Africa cyber crime investigating board assigned to investigate and remit
all outstanding lottery/inheritance transaction payment to all legal beneficiary
that were denied their legitimate right of ownership.

During our investigation, we found your information among those who paid a lot
of money without receiving a single pound/dollar. This act has become a burden
to the British, Australia and West Africa Government, as a result, we have been
assigned to put an end to this stigma by remitting your outstanding long overdue
payment to you.

We sincerely apologies for this evil act. We need you to furnish us with every
detailed information regarding your pending lottery/inheritance transactions
including payment made, whom and what the payment was meant for so that we can
carry out our investigation proper and remit your winnings/inheritance funds to
you legitimately through the due process.

Note that we operate worldwide and is strictly cyber crimes transaction via
electronic mails and fax. All we need from you to proceed with your payment
after investigation are as follows:

1. The Lottery Company:....................
2. Year of Winnings/Transaction:......................
3. Winning Number/ Transaction Code:........................
4. Winnings and other Certificate:...................
5. Winning Amount/Transaction Amount:........................
6. Winning E-mail:........................
7. Complete Names on Certificate:.........
8. Amount Paid and Purpose:...............
9. Courier Company/Diplomatic Service Used:..................
10. Courier Charge:.......................
11. Contact Tel:..........................
12. Contact Address:......................
13. A Scan Copy of Your Identity:.........

Upon receipt of the above information, your case will be investigated and your
winnings will be remitted to you via the due process.

We sincerely apologies on behalf of the United Kingdom Government for any
inconveniences that these cyber thieves might have
put you through.

I await your complete information to proceed.

Mr. Gilbert McCantee
Head of Crime Department
British Cyber Crime
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 703 182 6782

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam