419 scam: "OFFICIAL LETTER FROM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI"<info@fbi.org> OFFICIAL LETTER FROM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBIŒë¸"

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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:
- "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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "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)
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "vat (5%)" (VAT rate in the UK is 17.5%, check the math)
- "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. )
- "@diplomats.com" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
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.
- +2348082281535 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- +2347033811535 (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.
- globalcourier@diplomats.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "OFFICIAL LETTER FROM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <elizabeth.fowler81@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:49:46 +0200
Subject: OFFICIAL LETTER FROM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI

OFFICIAL LETTER FROM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI
ROBERT MUELLER III EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
FBI.WASHINGTON DC.
Email: info_gov@federalbureauinvestigationsoffice.org
FBI SEEKING TO WIRETAP INTERNET

ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY

FROM: ROBERT MUELLER III EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON DC. FBI SEEKING TO WIRETAP INTERNET

The federal bureau of investigation (FBI).Through our intelligence-monitoring
network has discovered that the transaction that the bank contacted you
previously was legal.Recentlythe fund has been legally approved to be paid via Central Bank of Nigeria.

So, we, the federal bureau of investigation (FBI) Washington Dc, in conjunction
with the United Nations (UN) financial department have investigated through our
monitoring network noting that your transaction with the Central Bank of Nigeria
legal. You have the legitimate right to complete your transaction to claim your
fund US$10.7,000,000.00 (Ten million Seven Hundred Thousand united states dollars)
Because of so much scam going on in Nigeria.We the federal bureau
of investigation decided to contact the Global Courier Service Company in Nigeria
for them to give us their procedures on how to sent this money to you without
any further complain or delay. We just got an information from the Central Bank
of Nigeria and they have loaded your US$10.7,000,000.00 in ATM CARD and submit to
the Global Courier Service company for immediate delivery to your doorstep.

You are required to choose one option, which you will be able to pay and also
convenient for you, for quick delivery of your parcel containing your ATM CARD
and other two original back up documents.

Service Type | Delivery Duration | Charges/Fees
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Premium Express (24hrs Delivery)
Mailing $200.00 00.00
Insurance $150.00 00.00
Vat $100.00 00.00
TOTAL $450.00
$450(Four Hundred and fifty US Dollars Only).

......................................................................
Special Express (2 Days)
Mailing $180.00 00.00
Insurance $50.00 00.00
Vat $150.00 00.00
TOTAL $380.00 00.00
$380(Three Hundred and Eighty US Dollars Only).

............................................................................
Economy Express (3Days)
Mailing $100.00 00.00
Insurance$?150.00 00.00
Vat (5%) $50.00 00.00
TOTAL $300.00 00.00
$300(Three Hundred US Dollars Only).

....................................................................
You are hereby required to advice us, on your parcel delivery option by filling
in the required form stated above. Please note that the deadline for claiming
your fund is exactly one week after the receipt of this email. After this
period, your fund will be return back to the ordering costumer. That is the
instruction given to us .So take note.

We request that you reconfirm your mailing address to ensure conformity with our
record for immediate dispatch of your parcel to you. Only valid residential/
Office address and postal address are certified OK.

DELIVERY DESTINATION INFORMATION:

-------------------------------------------------------------
Receiver's Name :..............................................
Address:...............................................................
Tel/:......................................................................
Delivery Information/ Parcel Description

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delivery Terms: .............. .......International Delivery
Condition Of Delivery..............Priority Delivery
Consignment Note No: ........... MI 49866-2110
Color of Parcel: ..................... Brown.
Total Weight: ..........................36.2 kg
Total Net Weight: ...................1.7 kg

We are here to protect you from any problem till you receive your package .You
can as well get in touch with the National Courier Service assigned to deliver this financial package
to your doorstep.

Below is the delivery companies contact information:
Companies Name: Global Courier Service .
Directors Name: Mr Micheal Smith.
Email:globalcourier@diplomats.com
Telephone Number: +234-703-381-1535 or +234-808-228-1535

Looking forward to hear from you as soon as you receive this message

Best Regards,

Robert S. Mueller III
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C.
20535-0001, USA
Email: info_gov@federalbureauinvestigationsoffice.org

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam