419 scam: "Mr. Larel Smith"<fedexpress13@rocketmail.com> Hello Dear, Important Notice

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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. )
- "certificate fee" (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. )
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- +2347065324500 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- larelsmith@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Larel Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <larelsmith@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2010 19:22:36 +0800
Subject: Hello Dear, Important Notice

Attention Dear

I have been waiting for you to contact me on your international certified
bank draft of $800,000.00, cashable anywhere in the world,but I did not hear from you since then.

I went and I left your Bank Draft with FedEx International - Express Delivery, Courier, West Africa. At the moment, I'm very busy, I travelled out of the country for 3 Months Course and won't be back till end of September. You are to get in contact with with FedEx International, West Africa quickly for the collection of your international certified bank draft and details when they will deliver your package because of the expiring date.

For your information, I paid for the delivering Charge, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the bank draft showing that, it is not Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country except the security keeping fee which will be paid by you. The only money you will send to the FedEx International, West Africa to deliver your Bank Draft direct to your delivery Address is ($500 USD) only,been Security Keeping Fee of the Company so far. I have to let you pay this personally
because i don't know when you will contact them and in case of demur-rage.

Contact the FedEx International, West Africa now for the delivery with this information bellow:

FedEx Contact Person: Mr. Larel Smith
Line 1: +2347065324500
Email : larelsmith@gmail.com

Finally, make sure that you reconfirm:

1. Full Name & Address:
3. Occupation:
4. Age:
5. Sex:
6. Telephone Number:
7. Nationality:
8. Place of Residence:

Details on how to send and where To Send The Security Keeping Fee $150 to FedEx accountant Mr. DANIEL V. AGBO FedEx Address: 37 Ikeja, Lagos. Nigeria via Western Union Money Transfer or MoneyGram Unit.

Receivers Name: Charles Ogbonna
Receivers Address: 37 Ikeja road, Lagos. Nigeria.
Text Question: GOD Text Answer: Good
M.T.C.N:.

After your payment of $500 To avoid any mistake on your Delivery, Request the shipment details. Which includes your tracking number to enable you track your package. clearly again, contact them NOW to avoid delays and remember Your Payment of $100 for their immediate action on the Secure Keeping of your international certified bank draft. Give keep me posted through email once Bank Draft is cleared and remember the less privileged.
I want you to have faith in God and believe that with him all things are possible. And please once you receive these funds, do not forget to pay your tight and alwasys go to church. I would love you to go to Christ Embassy

Sincerely,
Mrs. Rose Wils

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam