419 scam: FBI OFFICE <fbi_office_dc10001@yahoo.fr> FROM THE DESK OF Robert S. Mueller TREAT URGENT

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "clearance document" (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. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +2347082029034 (Nigeria, 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.
- barrister_sam_okoro@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: FBI OFFICE <fbi_office_dc10001@yahoo.fr>
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:05:17 +0100 (BST)
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF Robert S. Mueller TREAT URGENT

ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONETARY CRIMES DIVISION
FBI HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
FBI-Washington Field Office
601 4th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20535

ATTENTION:

It has been discovered that your contract/inheritance/winning FUND was about being transferred to an unknown account under your name. This attempt was perpetrated by someone who claims to be working for you, and that you have given him due authority to have the FUND moved to the account specified below:

SOUTHWESTERN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
WESCORP 924 OVERLAND COURT
SAN DIMAS, CA 91772. USA.
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 322682133
ABA/ROUTING NUMBER: 1211-71-41-8
SHARETYPE NO.: 35
FINAL CREDIT JOHNSON FENZI AND CO. (Beneficiary).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) waded in after being alerted by the supposed bank. We investigated and found that there is a possible money laundering activity in play.The FUND US$10.5Million(Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) was found to be deposited in (HSTRUST BANK LONDON) in your name pending your consent to have it transferred to the new account indicated above. It was further revealed that initial FUND transfer originated from Nigeria to England.

These transfers did not follow due process in line with the international FUND transfer rules and regulation. Consequently, we suspect this be a terrorism funding, drug related fund deposit and/or money laundering. As stated above, the FUND has your name on it, and you must have it cleared of any connection with any of these illegal activities for immediate release and transfer of fund to you in accordance to the law.

Finally, you are expected to have the CLEARANCE DOCUMENT obtain from where the FUND originated to have your fund cleared. Only then shall we release your FUND as clean money devoid of any illegality.To this end, you are to contact (Barrister Sam Okoro) of the (Anti Graft Department Nigeria office I.M.F) and have the US PERMIT AUTHORIZATION of TRANSFER (UPAT) CLEARANCE DOCUMENT obtained. Contact him through this direct E-mail: (Barrister_sam_okoro@yahoo.com) Cell No: (+234-708-202-9034) Note that you have 72hrs to obtain this crucial Documentation.
I will be waiting to hear from you.

Faithfully Yours
Robert S. Mueller III
FBI Director
Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
FBI-Washington Field Office
601 4th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20535

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam