419 scam: "Mrs. Mary Johnson"<support@hngtrust.com> Greetings To You,

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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 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. )
- "certificate 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. )
- "security keeping 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. )
- "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. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
- fedex_parceldelivery@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Mary Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <faithheals231@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2011 00:31:29 -0400
Subject: Greetings To You,

Greetings To You,

I have been waiting for you to contact me for your Confirmable Bank Draft of
$550,000.00 United States Dollars, but I did not hear from you since that time.

Then I went and deposited the Draft with FEDEX COURIER SERVICE, West Africa, I
travelled out of the country for a 4 Months Course and I will
not come back till end of October.

What you have to do now is to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE as soon as
possible to know when they will deliver your package to you because of the
expiring date.

For your information, I have paid for the delivering Charge, Insurance premium
and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money
or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country except
the security keeping fees which will be paid by you.

The only money you will send to the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE to deliver your Draft
direct to your postal Address in your country is ($150 USD) Dollars
only being Security Keeping Fee of the Courier Company so far.

Again, don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other money except $150USd
Dollars.

I have to let you pay this yourself because I dont know when you will contact
them and in case of demurrage.

You have to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE now for the delivery of your Draft
with this information below:

FedEx Contact Person :: Mr Peter Lewis
Email :fedex_parceldelivery@hotmail.com
Telephone ::+234 816 0937
Finally, make sure that you reconfirm :

1. Full Name:
2. Full Address:
3. Occupation:
4. Age:
5. Telephone Number:
6. Nationality:
7. Place of Residence:

To avoid any mistake on the Delivery. And ask them to give you the
tracking number after payment to enable you track your package over there
and know when it will get to your address.

Let me repeat again, try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail
to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their Security Keeping
fee of $150 US Dollars for their immediate action.

You should also let me know through email as soon as you receive your Draft.

Sincerely,

Mrs Mary Johnson
Former Director Presidential Library & Museum
International Online Lottery Co-ordinator.© 2009

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam