419 scam: "General Andrew Azazi (retd)" <azazi@gov.org> OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NI

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "diplomatic immunity"
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. )
- "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. )
- "trunk box" (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)
- "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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "million 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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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 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.
- andrewazazi01@mail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "General Andrew Azazi (retd)" <azazi@gov.org>
Reply-To: andrewazazi01@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 06:54:53 -0500
Subject: OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
NIGERIA

GET BACK TO ME AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.

Dear Beneficiary,

I am General Andrew Azazi (retd),National Security Adviser to President
Goodluck Jonathan of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . I decided to contact you
because of the Prevailing security report reaching my office and the
intense nature of the policy in Nigeria .This is to inform you about my
plan to send your funds to you via cash delivery. This system will be
easier for you in order to receive your over due payment.

As the National Security Officer to the Presidency, It was brought to my
notice that your over due beneficiary payment, has been delayed for more than
Five months before I resumed office, and I am here to put things right.
According to your file, it's states that your total beneficiary funds is
amounted to be US$10.5Million United States Dollars only, and due to the fact
that you were unable to procure the required documents in order to process the
transfer,your funds was delayed.

Dear beneficiary, I am bringing to your notice that, I am in the position to
release a part-payment of your total funds, which amounts to sum of $7.Million
United States Dollars, and this Money will be coming through 2 security proof
boxes. The boxes are sealed with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine.

Although, the past president ordered that all beneficiary funds that is yet to
be claimed, should be used for our Local AFEM market. But since I was put
in-charge of the money, I decided to contact because am in a best position as
the National Security Adviser to the President to send this fund to you, on
two conditions which are, we will be sharing the funds in 80%-20%, 80% of the
total funds will be for you, and the other 20% will be my own share for
helping you out in this transaction. On a second note, you will have to take
care of the delivery charges which is going to cost you $480usd as the owner
of the 2 Consignment boxes in order to prove to the appropriate authorities
that you are the original owner of the Trunk Boxes.

Note that your name must appear on the payment receipt that will be issued by
the diplomatic courier company. the boxes will be coming with a Diplomatic
agent who will delivered the boxes to your doorstep in your country.

I will let you know by the special grace of God when the boxes are
airlifted.all you have to do now is to send to me your information

1. Your Complete Full Names.
2. Your Residential Address.
3. Your Age/ Sex.
4. Your Profession.
5. Your Telephone Number or Your Mobile Phone Number for Easier Communication.

Note: The diplomatic does not know the original contents of the boxes. What l
declared to them as the contents are Sensitive Photographic Film Material, I
did not declare money to them please. If they call you and ask you of the
contents please tell them the same thing OK, I will let you know how far I
have gone with the arrangement but first I will need you to forward the
requested details mentioned above. Also I will secure the Diplomatic immunity
clearance certificate that will be tagged on the boxes to make it stand as a
Diplomatic Consignment. This clearance will make it pass all custom check
points all over the world without hitch. Confirm the receipt of this message
and send the requirements information to me immediate you receive this
message.If you need more information about this, I will give you the contact
of the diplomatic agents for more information on how to carry out the plan.

Please I need urgent reply because the boxes are schedule to leave as soon as
we hear from you. Reply me immediately you receive this message via my private
email address (andrewazazi01@mail.com).

Best Regards,

General Andrew Azazi (retd)
National Security Adviser to the President
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam