419 scam: "AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION"<mail.spirits-brokers.com> RE: WHY HAVE YOU BEEN SILENT. ?

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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:
- "clearance fee" (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. )
- "insurance fee " (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. )
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "(ecowas)" (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.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- barr.lawrenceclarkeassociate@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barr.lawrenceclarkeassociate@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 16:41:07 +0900
Subject: RE: WHY HAVE YOU BEEN SILENT. ?

Dear Beneficiary,

I am Dr. Nkosazana Zuma the chairperson of AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION (AUC). AUC in alliance with Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) with head Office here in Nigeria.

In reference to the eradication of fraudster/scam artist and in respect to your long over-due fund which you have been finding it difficult to receive through a Bank Draft, Bank to Bank Wire Transfer and Western Union Installment Payment arrangements, the Africa Union compensation scheme as approved payment via ATM Card to 12 listed scammed victim on our list and you appear to be among one of the scam victim beneficiary.

We have waited for you to get in contact with the processing officer (Barr. Lawrence Clarke) for your ATM CARD with the total sum of $2,300.000.00. (Two Million Three Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) only, Which you can withdraw your Fund at any ATM Machine in your location and Worldwide, with maximum daily limit amount of USD$7,500.00 (Seven Thousand Five Hundred United States Dollars) Hence you are willing to claim your Scam Compensation Fund.

Note that the delivery charges of your ATM CARD has already being paid, Apart from the Security Keeping Fee and insurance clearance fee, which can not be paid due to your delay in contacting the processing office for the claim of your ATM CARD Scam Compensation Fund. The Security Keeping Fee together with the Insurance clearance Fee total amount is $85usd and this is the only charges you are Authorized to Pay as there is no Hiding charges require for any reason, to have you ATM CARD completely insured and delivered to your residential address for your daily withdrawal.

Kindly confirm your details to Barrister Lawrence R. Clarke to allow him process and effect the delivering of your ATM CARD to you, and make sure your residential address is provided correctly, to avoid any atom of mistake during delivery process of your ATM CARD.

(1) Your Full Name: ...................
(2) Full Residential Address:.......... (P.O.BOX NOT ALLOWED)
(3) Direct Phone Number: ..............
(4) Your Profession: ..................
(5) Your ID Card: .....................

CONTACT PERSON: Barrister Lawrence R. Clarke
E-MAIL ADDRESS: barr.lawrenceclarkeassociate@gmail.com

As soon as your details are submitted, you shall be advised accordingly how to make payment for Security Keeping fee and Insurance fee total of $85usd only for the shipment of your ATM Card to commence and a tracking number will be giving to you for you to track and monitor your ATM Card as it will be on transit to your door step.

your urgent respond is needed.

Regards.

Dr. Nkosazana Zuma
Chairperson
AFRICA UNION COMMISSION

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam