419 scam: "Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection" <scottish_hot_rod@yahoo.co.uk> The Funds; From U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE NEW YORK CITY.

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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:
- "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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "a diplomat " ("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. )
- "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.
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.
- +22999092609 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- dip_harrybrooks@mail2world.com (Mail2world; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection" <scottish_hot_rod@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: dip_harrybrooks@mail2world.com
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:05:47 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: The Funds; From U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE NEW YORK CITY.

26 FEDERAL PLZ # 258 NEW YORK, NY 10278-0299
E-MAIL (dip_harrybrooks@mail2world.com )

Attention Dear;
This office is hereby to inform you about your on pending delivery here in
JFK International Airport NY City USA. Which has been supposed to be delivered
to you by DHL Courier Company republic of Benin since last month, but due
to that the Consignment was lacking up this very important Certificate of
Ownership during the time of the shipment which made it impossible to
accomplish the delivery by the Courier Diplomatic Agent.

Hence, the Us Government and World Bank of Switzerland has resolved to
immediate commence the on pending delivery to your doorstep and at this
moment you are not going to pay any other fees after paying the sum of $95
Dollars, because we have taken all the protocol by our hand as
instruction by the U.S Government and World Bank of Switzerland, after
paying this $95 the World Bank of Switzerland will assign a Diplomat with
many years experience with qualified Diplomatic Certificate and for this
reason we are hereby to assured you that there will be no further
stoppages towards this delivery until it arrived to your door step.

you can direct the fee to accountant officer receivers info below as they
will get it here for you and they are entitled to receive and make any
payment to foreign countries authority , they will help you get the
required documentations which will cover the shipment of the consignment
funds to your door step successfully .

Receivers Name Should is: Onyekwe James Peter
Country Location should be: Republic of Benin
City Location Should is: Cotonou
Text Question Should is: How Long
Answer should be: ASAP
Amount: Required is $95.

Once you are through with the Money Transfer as instructed, kindly include
the Money Transfer payment details, then on receipt of the payment the
required Documentations which is going to cover the Shipment to your home
will be Obtained on your name by the Authority scan and fax to us for
immediate assign the Diplomat by World Bank Switzerland to complete the
Shipment of the total sum of $350.000.00; Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand
United States Dollars.

The Us Government and World Bank of Switzerland set up this development
after they confirmed that you Funds are legitimate and you're advised to
comply without doubt let this mission work out for your own good. As we
have been instructed that Failure to comply according to the instructions
for the finally Claiming of the Funds, then after 7working day the Funds
will be return to the Federal Treasury Account, and when this happen you
will find it difficult to claim the funds again.

I await your respond and compliance.

Sign

Alan Bersin
Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Company can be reach
at +22999092609.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam