419 scam: alex@visionworldltd.com ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIME COMMISSION

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "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)
- "economic and financial crime commission" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "economic and financial crimes commission" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!

Fraud email example:

From: alex@visionworldltd.com
Reply-To: jameswilly921@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 06 May 2016 09:48:09 +0200
Subject: ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIME COMMISSION

EFCC HEAD OFFICE : NO5 FOMELLA STREET, OFF ADETOKUNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT WUSE=
II, ABUJA FROM THE DESK OF CHIEF MR. IBRAHIM LAMORDE (AIG RTD.), (EXECUTIV=
E CHAIRMAN, ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION).(WE ARE AT YOUR SERVI=
CE).CABLEGRAM: NAPTCOR ATTN : CONFIRM IF YOU HAVE ANY BACKLOG DEBT TO DRAW =
FROM THE FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA, RESULTING FROM A LONG COMPLETED CONTRACT PR=
OJECT WITH ANY FEDERAL CORPORATION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA. IF Y=
ES, TAKE NOTE: This is officially informing you that your ATM CARD is ready=
,note that, your card is out now ready to be delivered to your door step a=
nd I will forward the serial number and the pin code to you. The card is a =
master card codified. Now honestly you are advised to take care of the deli=
very charges which will cost you according to the delivery company that wis=
h to deliver your card to you immediately. However, it is the pleasure of t=
his office to inform you that your ATM CARD number; is 29741733 and it has =
been approved and upgraded in your favor. Meanwhile, you call me for the pi=
n code numbers. The ATM CARD value is US$50 Million only. You are advised t=
hat a maximum withdrawal value of US$5,000, is permitted daily. And we are =
duly inter-switched and you can make withdrawal in any location of the ATM =
center of your choice/nearest to you. We have also concluded very necessary=
arrangement concerning the delivery with our accredited courier service co=
mpany to be fully insured and oversee the delivery of the ATM CARD to you w=
ithout any further delay. Be informed that delivery will be made to your ad=
dress within 48 hours of our confirmation of this payment. Also be aware th=
at the delivery fee receipt will be attached to your payment delivery docum=
ents to avoid being delayed by the customs, meanwhile your valid I.D card m=
ust be presented to the delivery company before the CARD will be delivered =
to you to avoid any wrong delivery upon the delivering this package. Furthe=
rmore, With regards to your choice of claims, you are required to select th=
e most convenient of the three courier options below that will deliver your=
ATM CARD to your door step with options via any of the channels listed bel=
ow: OPTIONS: FedEx (2working days) Mailing &n bps;.....................=
.. $50.00 Insurance..................... ........$350.00 Vat (5%)..........=
................ ....$85.00 Total......................... ........$485.00 =
UPS(2working days) Mailing &n bsp;....................... $45.00 Insura=
nce..................... ........$280.00 Vat (5%)..........................=
....$40.00 Total......................... ........$365.00 DHL(2working day=
s) Mailing &n bps;............$70.00 Insurance................. $385.00=
Vat (5%).................. $75.00 Tot........................$590 530.00 N=
ote that your card is protected by a hardcover insurance policy (courtesy N=
icon Insurance Group, Nigeria) which makes it impossible to deduct any amou=
nt from the money before releasing to you. This means that the above charge=
s cannot be deducted from the card and hence must be provided by you before=
your card is dispatched to your door step in your country. Please respond =
to this email by making a selection from the options above and urgently pro=
vide your mailing address. However, be reminded that the deadline for the c=
laiming of funds is exactly one week after the receipt of this email. After=
this period, you will encounter demur rage for keeping your ATM CARD in ou=
r custody for too long. You are required to make a selection that is reacha=
ble to your destination. Be advised to send the fees via Money Gram Transfe=
r, through our receivers officer's name stated below. Receiver Name: ......=
.............. Fred Oki Receiver Address: .................. 14 Shanu Stree=
t, Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria. Text Question : ................. Who Text Answer:=
................... Trust MTCN.......................... Send the MTCN num=
ber together with the name and address of the sender to this office for the=
money to be picked up as soon as you send the money via Money Gram Transfe=
r. Treat as very urgent, as we also remind you once again that your ATM CAR=
D is ready, awaiting dispatch to you. Regards DR. IBRAHIM LAMORDE FOR : EFC=
C INVESTIGATION AND COMMISSION ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIME COMMISSION TELE=
PHONE : 002348160211929.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam