419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:
- "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. )
- "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.
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 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.
- info.fbioffice2@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: FBI DIRECTOR <info.fbioffice2@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:29:38 +0200
Subject: USE THE INFORMATION BELOW TO SEND THE REQUIRED CHARGE FEE. I WILL
FORWARD THE CONFIRMATION DETAILS TO HIM AND I WILL MAKE SURE SHIPMENT
COMMENCE ONCE THEY RECEIVED THE CHARGE FEE.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI. WASHINGTON DC. FBI SEEKING TO
WIRETAP INTERNET
>From Head Department: Dr. Linda Williams and Robert S. Mueller III
Email:(info.fbioffice2@gmail.com)

Attnention Beneficiary,

Due to my position in service I called the Embassy shipping service head
quarter of BENIN REPUBLIC and made a complain to them in regard to your
package and I also told them that I want your package to be shipped to you
as soon as possible.

I received an update from the Embassy today in regard to your package I
want you to follow there advice and instruction so that your package can be
shipped to you. They made me understand that the charge feeholding your
package is $48 only and once the charge fee is paid shipment will commence
that same day.

My advice to you now is to go ahead and send the $48 to them I will make
sure shipment commences once the charge fee is received by them.

Note: MY ADVICE AND INSTRUCTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS TRANSACTION TO
COME TO AN END IMMEDIATELY, YOU NEED TO COMPLY ACCORDINGLY TO OUR
DIRECTIVES.

Make sure you keep me updated once you receive your package and also let me
know once you send the charge fee required so I can also make sure shipment
commence that same day.

I WANT YOU TO USE THE INFORMATION BELOW TO SEND THE REQUIRED CHARGE FEE. I
WILL FORWARD THE CONFIRMATION DETAILS TO HIM AND I WILL MAKE
SURE SHIPMENT COMMENCE ONCE THEY RECEIVED THE CHARGE FEE.

BELOW IS THE PAYMENT INFORMATION OF:.............KELVIN O. OMOKWE
Dr. Linda Williams and Robert S. Mueller III
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building 935 Pennsylvania Avenue,NW Washington,
D.C.2535-0001, USA.

=================================================
SEND THE CHARGE FEE VIA MONEY GRAM OR WESTERN UNION AND I ASSURE YOU
SHIPMENT WILL COMMENCE.

RECEIVER NAME: KELVIN O. OMOKWE
ADDRESS: 4TH AVE.GLASS BUILDING FST.
CITY: COTONOU
COUNTRY: BENIN REPUBLIC
ZIP CODE: 229
TEXT QUESTION:::::FINAL
ANSWER:: :::: FEE
MTCN:.....

Once payment is made get back to me with the payment confirmation details
required below so shipment can commence. and I will forward it for shipment
to commence immediately.

SENDER NAME:??
CONFIRMATION MTCN NUMBER:??
SENDER ADDRESS :??
AMOUNT SENT??
TEXT QUESTION USED??
ANSWER USED:??

DR.LINDA F.B.I TRANSACTION DEPARTMENT

Robert S. Mueller III
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C.
20535-0001, USA
FBI Director
Robert S. Mueller, III
Email: info.fbioffice2@gmail.com

=============================CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, is for the sole use of
the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged
information or otherwise be protected by law. Any unauthorized review,
use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the
intended recipient, please
contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam