419 scam: "U.S. Department of Homeland Security"<info@dhs.gov> SECRET SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

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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:
- "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)
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Joseph.P.Clancy90@usa.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2015 00:21:21 -0800
Subject: SECRET SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

SECRET SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
WASHINGTON,DC 20528,USA.

Good day, This is the Department of Homeland Security we have vital
mission: to secure the nation from the many threats we face as well as
internet Fraud. This requires the dedication of more than 230,000
employees in jobs that range from aviation and border security to
emergency response, from cyber security analyst to chemical facility
inspector. Our duties are wide-ranging, but our goal is clear - keeping
America safe.

We are happy to inform you that your funds valued at US$10,700,000.00 (Ten
million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) have been approved
by the Treasury Department of the United States.

It might interest you to know that we have taken our time in screening
through this project as stipulated on our protocol of operation and have
finally confirmed that your contract payment is 100% genuine and hitch
free from all facets and of which you have the lawful right to claim your
fund without any further delay.

Further more, Should in case you need any more information in regards to
this notification, feel free to get back to us via email so that we can
brief you more as we are here to guide you during and after this project
has been completed.

Kindly get back to us for further directives.

Note: Do not reply to any e-mail that comes from the FBI Director James B. Comey.
The FBI director does not e-mail people; He will rather
send an agent to your door step in person. Do not fall a victim of scam
again, a word is enough for the wise.

Thank you.

Signed:

Joseph P Clancy
Director, United States Secret Service
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528,USA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam