419 scam: OFFICE FILES <usacustom@superposta.com> FROM 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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "the 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)
- "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 state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- +229988 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: OFFICE FILES <usacustom@superposta.com>
Reply-To: from.interpolpoliceforceunit@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:13:08 +0530 (IST)
Subject: FROM INTERPOL POLICE FORCE UNIT.

Â

FROM INTERPOL
POLICE FORCE UNIT.
Â
Attention Dear: Â

You are welcome to desk of Chief Robert
ward,International Interpol Police Force Investigating Unit Benin Rep.

We are Working towards a corruption-free world by
promoting and defending integrity, justice and the rule of lawâ€™ Mission
statement of the International Anti-Corruption Academy,We cover West African
Countries.Â Â Â This is official notice to you that we have been mandated by His
Excellency Mr. President Dr Thomas Boni Yayi to monitor and follow up your
payment of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars $2.5Million
with western union Benin Republic office.

We came to understand through our investigation team
that you have been trying to claim your funds for a couple ofÂ months now and
you are yet to receive your funds due to corruptions in western union office. It
was based on this that His Excellency Mr. President mandated us to handle your
payment and make sure that you receive your funds without any delay as he is
trying to rebuild the good image of this country with our foreign counterparts
all over the world.

Our duty is to put a
stop to all corruption frequently occurs at local or national level with the
help of Federal Bureau of InvestigationÂ (FBI) whom we work hand to hand with to
get hold of all the hidden and Identify thief's local and international
level.

The Interpol Police Group of Experts on Corruption
(IGEC) aims to develop and implement new initiatives to further law
enforcementâ€™s efficiency in the fight against corruption.

It is a multi-disciplinary group with members from all
regions of the world, coordinating and harmonizing different national and
regional approaches. The International Anti-Corruption Academy will be the
worldâ€™s first educational institute dedicated to fighting corruption. It will
allow law enforcement professionals and otherÂ to learn from the worldâ€™s
foremost authorities in anti-corruption training, research and
investigation.

We need your absolute
co-operation right now so that you can receive your total amount of $1,5Million
which is now in custody the Interpol Police Force Unity office Benin
Republic.

In view of this
development, you are requested to confirm and furnish us with your full names,
postage address and telephone numbers to enable us proceed with process of your
fund delivering to you through our diplomatic International Interpol Police
Force Unity Immunity service as consignment to your door step.

We have 186 member Countries. Created in 1923, it
facilitates cross-border Police co-operation, and supports and assists all
organizations, authorities and services whose mission is to prevent Internation
Crime.Interpol aims to facilitate International Police Force co-operation even
where diplomatic relations do not exist between particular Countries.Action is
taken within 72hours the limits of existing laws in different Countries and in
the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. InterpolÂ constitution
prohibits any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or
racial character.

Interpol as Leadership
The President of Interpol Police Force and the Secretary General work closely
together in providing strong leadership and direction to the
Organization...

Interpol Police Force,
in partnership with the Federal Bureau of InvestigationÂ (FBI), is working
towards the recovery of funds and return of stolen assets. This project allows
Interpol to actively engage national law enforcement bodies in co-ordinated
efforts to trace, seize, confiscate and return public funds to victim countries
and Individuals.

Be rest assured that
upon receipt of the above information and the delivering fee of $285 dollar, we
will proceed in delivering of your consignment to you immediately. For security
reasons endeavor to indicate this ( CODE NUMBER ) ( BJ/XXL14160) this code shows
that you are the rightful owner of the consignment box.. Â

Below Interpol Police accountant officer name where
you should send the money.

Receiver Name.......
ROBERT JOHNSON

City.........Cotonou
Country.:Benin
Republic
Question.:Who is great?
Answer.:God
Amount.............$285

MTCN....................

Yours
Faithfully

Contact Person
Mr MICHEAL HUBERT.
Tel. +229-988.4362
Inspector General of fraud
International Interpol Police Force Unity.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam