419 scam: "US TREASURY DEPARTMENT;S"<info@us.info.com> TRANSFER IMMEDIATELY TODAY

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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:
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "kelivinwilliams@yahoo.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +2348082581086 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "US TREASURY DEPARTMENT;S" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kelivinwilliams@yahoo.cn>
Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:56:37 -0500
Subject: TRANSFER IMMEDIATELY TODAY

U.S Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC)U.S Treasury Department's
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220

Dear Beneficiary,

This email is to notify you about the release of your outstanding payment which is
truly $500.000.00 USD. The New Prime Minister ( UK) scheduled a time frame to
settle all foreign debts which includes Contract/Inheritance/ Gambling/
Lottery(Sponsored by Microsoft and National Lottery) and other international
loans.News had it that over the past,numerous individual (s) who happen to be
impostors (claiming to be individuals, banks and organizations) are claiming to
release numerous sums of fund via numerous ways.

With the help of the (OFAC)U.S Treasury Department's and with the FBI we have
noticed that people have being asked to pay outrageous amount of money by these
impostors for the transfer of their funds to them. We want you to stop all
communication that has to do with these fraudsters who have been requesting
unreasonable sums of money from you to release your funds which they do not have
access to.

We have received a mandate and instructions from the (OFAC)U.S Treasury Department's
to commence the immediate release of your funds through one of the following payment
options stated below depending on your choice:

1.Online Banking ( Bank To Bank Transfer) to enable you process this operation, $155
Dollars is Required for opening for an online banking operation, that will enable
you get access to your account Online.

http://www.authpro.com/auth/finbnnkon1/
LOGIN:65757885
PASSWORD:008866376

For international wire Transfer as stated by our us We had to sign contract with Bank for Online Transfer which enables you to make Transfer Online of $18,000 USD every day, which makes the fees reduce from the actual $250.99 to $154.99 nothing more and no hidden fees of any sort.

You are advised to contact the Accountant Officer responsible for the Transfer of your funds with the following information and the payment of the $155 USD for your transfer to commence immediately.

Department's Officer: Kelivin Williams
Tel- +2348082581086
Email- kelivinwilliams@yahoo.cn

And provide him with the following information:

Your full Name...
Your Address:................
Occupation:................
Home/Cell Phone:...................
Age........................

Payment Should be made via Western Union Money Transfer Or Money Gram Immediately

Receivers Name: Bamidele wasiu
Location:Lagos,Nigeria
Text Question:Transfer
Text Answer:Code
Amount:$155 USD
MTCN:

You are to adhere strictly to the instructions above for more information contact the Accountant.

Remember that you are not paying any fees extra no matter what. Once again note that the actual Transfer fee is paid ,Price: $155USD,Note that without making the payment there is no way you can make transfer online.We await your urgent response immediately.

Thanks,

U.S Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC)U.S Treasury Department's
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam