419 scam: "INTERNATIONAL INTERPOL POLICE FORCE UNIT"<innvestigationaget@presidency.com> FROM INTERNATIONAL INTERPOL POLICE FORCE UNIT

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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 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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "INTERNATIONAL INTERPOL POLICE FORCE UNIT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <innvestigationaget@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 00:32:00 -0700
Subject: FROM INTERNATIONAL INTERPOL POLICE FORCE UNIT

FROM INTERNATIONAL INTERPOL POLICE FORCE UNIT.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMMAND,BENIN REPUBLIC.
How are you today?

You are welcome to desk of Chief Mr.Akasaka Udo Public Information Officer. inspector general of International Interpol Police Force Investigating Benin Republic. We are Working towards a corruption-free world by promoting and defending integrity, justice and the rule of law' Mission statement of the International Anti-Corruption Academy,We cover West African Countries.

I thought i have sent you a message today??
Well, the reason why I am contacting you now is just to let you know that we have retrieve the $1.5million dollars from the Wester Union Office bank because we find out that they are delaying to transfer the fund to you and using that medium to extort money out from you which is not normal. So when I find out this delay I quickly inform our Presidency and Chambers Justice High Court the situation of thing he now gave me authorization letter to meet with the bank and retrieve the fund out which I did.
Please we are very sorry for the plight you have gone through in the past , We hereby officially notify you about the present arrangement to pay you your over due contract/inheritance funds which you did not complete the process of the released of your transfer pin code through the Digitalized Payment System. We have decided to pay your funds through (ATM Master Express Credit Card).Be inform that your (ATM Card Number;5278763100030014) has been ccredited in your favor.Your Personal Identification Number is 2900.Your ATM Card Value with the $1.5 MILLION USD. This arrangement was constituted by the Presidency and Chambers Justice High Court, due to fraudulent activities going on within the African Region.
The Presidency and Chambers Justice High Court introduce this payment arrangement as to enable our contractors/inheritance beneficiary to receive their funds without any interference. The ATM Master Express Credit Card was contracted and powered by GOLD CARD WORLD WIDE.
We have decided to waive away all your clearance fees/Charges and authorize the Government of Benin to effect the payment of your compensation of an amount of $1.5M approved by both the Presidency and Chambers Justice High Court to receive your ATM CARD without any delay.The only fee you will pay to receive your ATM CARD is your Notarization fee and the Cost of the Notarization fee is $189.00, Upon the receipt of this information we will proceed to dispatch the card directly to your nominated mailing address.

Below is where you can send the US$189.00 for the proceed today.
Receiver: Ozekwe Chidiegu
Country...............Republic of Benin
City.................Cotonou
Text Question..........We trust
Answer.............In God
Amount US$189.00
Mtcn.................
Your senders conutry.............
Your senders name.................
Send the scan copy of the payment slip.

You absolutely have nothing to worry about as all we need is your prompt response and co-operation. I expect you to comply so that the delivery can be completed, If you do not comply then it will not be my fault.

Note; do not honour any message that will come from Western Union. I repeat your money $1.5million dollars is no more with Western Union banks here, Do not answer or honour any email message stating that your money is with them. Any such message you receive forward it to me for verification. And do not send any body money until I confirm who the person is.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr.Akasaka Udo
Public Information Officer.
NOTICE: Information contained in this email is not confidential and intended for everyone, without any copyright whatsoever. Any dissemination, distribution, copying and use of this communication without prior permission from the addressee is strictly encouraged. If you are not the intended recipient of
this communication, please keep it permanently while copying, Thank you

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam