419 scam: "Impex Courier Services"<info@impexcourier.com> From Executive Director, Impex Courier Services (ICS).

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (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.
- +2348037072682 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Impex Courier Services" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <icsc_courier@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:33:25 -0700
Subject: From Executive Director, Impex Courier Services (ICS).

Dear Friend,

I am write in respect of an unhappy development which i witnessed in London U.K over one Mr.Banji Adam who deposited your fund portfolio with my company (IMPEX COURIER) informed me that, this package which is to be delivered to your doorstep is containing some U.S Dollars amounting to $12 million USD, Do confirm to me if you are ready to receive this consignment or not.

However, I have discovered via a sensitive security scan that, the content of your package is real money and as a matter of fact i have because of this sensitive situations i voluntarily made every good effort to help you obtain ANTITERRORIST CERTIFICATE covering your fund portfolio up to your doorstep.

My final conclusion with our diplomatic official whom have agreed to accept to escort yourfund portfolio with his immunity to your doorstep.

All i want you to confirm to me is if you are reedy to take delivery in your country and on arrival of our DIPLOMATS you will pay for the OFFICIAL HANDLING CHARGES of the shipment before claiming your consignment.

Reply this important letter so that we will speed up the arrival of the DIPLOMATS will commence their journey to your country.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. George Smith,
Executive Director, Impex Courier Services (ICS)
Our Website Is: http://impxcsc.net.tc
You can call me +234 8037072682

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam