419 scam: Funds Transfer Section <dirduep1@gmail.com> THANKS FOR YOUR PATRONAGE

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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:
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: Funds Transfer Section <dirduep1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Funds Transfer Section <agentkentbrooks@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 06:43:11 +0900 (JST)
Subject: THANKS FOR YOUR PATRONAGE

Urgent Attention, I was able to arrived Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport with your 2 Packages contains your Cash Funds and ATM Card, worth $3.700,000.00 US Dollars. Please reconfirm your delivery infor urgent and include your direct phone number.

The only fee you will pay is Customs Clearance Stamp Duty and is only $87.00 Dollars, because without the Stamp the 2 Packages will be intercepted by Homeland Security operatives on arrival into your State and in order to avoid any delay or disturbance on transit, the Packages MUST bear the Comptroller General Stamp Duty and this will avert any disturbance and inconvenience and will ensure safe and successful delivery of the 2 Packages contains your Cash Funds ATM Card ,to your nominated address unhampered. The Required $87.00 Dollars should be sent to below information through Western union or Money Gram,

Receivers Name: Sarah Ndubuisi
Country Benin
City Cotonou
Text Question: Present Year
Answer: 2015

If you made the payment as it is necessitates, then the 2 Packages should be delivered immediately after the payment and release.Once you paid the fee, then I will join flight from here at the Airport to your City and make the Delivery to you. Send text message at 320-204-0060 once you are through in sending the fee. Waiting your vital response to help make the delivery to you tonight.

Signed
Agent Kent Robert.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam