419 scam: "Federal Bureau of Investigation" <FBI@FBI.GOV> OFFICIAL LETTER FROM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI

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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:
- "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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "vat (5%)" (VAT rate in the UK is 17.5%, check the math)
- "robert mueller" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real FBI will not tell you to contact some email address. If you are in any doubt, contact an FBI field office via www.fbi.gov. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
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.
- fedexcourier2020@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Federal Bureau of Investigation" <FBI@FBI.GOV>
Reply-To: federalbureau.investigation222@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 16 May 2012 15:16:57 -0100
Subject: OFFICIAL LETTER FROM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI

OFFICIAL LETTER FROM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
FBI.WASHINGTON DC.
ROBERT MUELLER III.
FBI SEEKING TO WIRETAP INTERNET

ATTENTION:

FROM: ROBERT MUELLER III EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON DC. FBI SEEKING TO WIRETAP INTERNET.

The federal bureau of investigation (FBI).Through our intelligence monitoring
network has discovered that the transaction that the bank contacted you
previously was legal.Recently the fund has been legally approved to be paid
via Central Bank of Nigeria. So, we the federal bureau of investigation (FBI)
Washington Dc, in conjunction with the United Nations (UN) financial
department have investigated through our monitoring network noting that your
transaction with the Central Bank of Nigeria legal.

You have the legitimate right to complete your transaction to claim your fund
US$65.7,000,000.00 (sixty five Million seven hundred thousands United States
dollars) Because of so much scam going on in Nigeria.We the federal bureau of
investigation decided to contact the FedEx Courier Service Company in Nigeria
for them to give us their procedures on how to sent this money to you without
any further complain or delay. We just got an information from the Central
Bank of Nigeria and they have loaded your US$65.7,000,000.00 in ATM CARD and
submit to the FedEx courier service company for immediate delivery to your
doorstep.

You are required to choose one option, which you will be able to pay and also
convenient for you, for quick delivery of your parcel containing your ATM CARD
and other two original back up documents.

Service Type | Delivery Duration | Charges/Fees
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Premium Express (24hrs Delivery)
Mailing $200.00 00.00
Insurance $150.00 00.00
Vat $100.00 00.00
TOTAL $450.00
$450(Four Hundred and fifty US Dollars Only).
......................................................................
Special Express (2 Days)
Mailing $180.00 00.00
Insurance $70.00 00.00
Vat $150.00 00.00
TOTAL $380.00 00.00
$380(Three Hundred and Eighty US Dollars Only).
............................................................................
Economy Express (3Days)
Mailing $100.00 00.00
Insurance$?150.00 00.00
Vat (5%) $50.00 00.00
TOTAL $300.00 00.00
$300(Three Hundred US Dollars Only).
....................................................................

You are hereby required to advice us, on your parcel delivery option by
filling in the required form stated above. Please note that the deadline for
claiming your fund is exactly one week after the receipt of this email. After
this period, your fund will be return back to the ordering costumer. That is
the instruction given to us .So take note.
We request that you reconfirm your mailing address to ensure conformity with
our record for immediate dispatch of your parcel to you. Only valid
residential/Office address and postal address are certified OK.
DELIVERY DESTINATION INFORMATION:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Receiver's Name :.......
Address:................
Tel/:...................
Delivery Information/ Parcel Description
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Delivery Terms: International Delivery
Condition Of Delivery:Priority Delivery
Consignment Note No: MI 49866-2110
Color of Parcel: ...Brown.
Total Weight: 36.2 kg
Total Net Weight: 1.7 kg

We are here to protect you from any problem till you receive your package, You
can as well get in touch with the FedEx delivery company assigned to deliver
this financial package to your doorstep.

Below is the delivery companies contact information:
Companies Name: Federal Express Courier Service.
Directors Name: MR. Paul Allen
Email: fedexcourier2020@hotmail.com
Looking forward to hear from you as soon as you receive this message.

Best Regards,

Robert S. Mueller III
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C.
20535-0001, USA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam