419 scam: Homeland Security <tfdepartmentng@9.cn> FROM DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

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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:
- "required 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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Homeland Security <tfdepartmentng@9.cn>
Reply-To: homelandsecurity888@9.cn
Date: Sat, 7 May 2011 19:59:36 +0900 (KST)
Subject: FROM DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

ATT N,Beneficiary.

This is to Officially inform you that it has come to our notice and we have thoroughly completed an Investigated with the help of our Intelligence Monitoring Network System that you are having an transaction Consignmentfiled with united state dollars which is on hold at the custody of Washington, DC police department, During our Investigation, it came to our notice that the reason you have not received your fund is because you have not obtain your Award Ownership Certificate which David L mercer confirmed that it will cost you the sum of $68.00 to obtain the document on your behalf before the diplomat will accompany your consignment to your door step,

Since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been involved in this transaction, you are now to be rest assured that this transaction is legitimate and completely risk-free as it is our duty to Protect and Serve citizens of the United States Of America. All you have to do is immediately contact Mr.David L Mercervia E-mail for instructions obtain your Ownership Certificate and send it to New York City police Department to enable them release the Agent with your consignment , Kindly look below to find appropriate contact information:

CONTACT INFORMATION
Tell Phone 00229_98284176
Name: Mr.David L Mercer
Email:( homelandsecurity888@9.cn)

This is the they contains details on how you will use to make the payment,

Reciver's name======Mr Okechukwu Chibike
City========Cotonou
Country== ======Benin Republic.
Text Question======== What is our Zip Code?
Answer======== 00229.
Amount=======$68.00
MtcnNumber======?
Sender's name======?

Therefore you will be required to send the required fee to Mr.David L Mercer is the rightful person you are suppose to deal with in regards of this Ownership Certificate via Western Union Money Transfer. To enable his Agent proceed towards delivery of your consignment , Once you have sent the required fee to Mr.David L Mercer will obtain your Ownership Certificate without any further delay, You are hereby authorized/guaranteed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to commence towards completing this transaction, as there shall be NO delay once payment for the Approval Ownership Certificate has been made to the authorized agent.

This letter will serve as proof that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is authorizing you to pay the required $68.00 ONLY to Mr.David L Mercer, if you do not receive your Consignmentcontaining your funds we shall be held responsible, as soon as this fee try to call me with this number +229_98284176 ok

Mr.David L Mercer
Executive Director .

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam