419 scam: "Mr Fred White"<info@lee.net> GOOD DAY TO YOU

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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:
- "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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "million 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)
- "million 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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Fred White" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fo4315294@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2023 08:32:58 -0800
Subject: GOOD DAY TO YOU

I am Mr Fred White and I am contacting you regarding your unclaimed fund
worth $5.5 Million Dollars from the Finance Department.
Be informed that an acknowledgment has been given to the receipt of your
email transmission Sequel to the request, I have your " ATM Visa Card"
containing your US$5.5 Million United States dollars on my table right now
and it can not be transferred into your destination Bank account because the
money is not in cash, it is in Cheque which has been converted into an
International Global ATM Visa Card which is with us here in Finance
Department office.

I am going to send it to you through the means of Courier Services, and to
avoid much delay!! You have to send your home address and telephone number
where the Delivery Company would deliver your package to, meanwhile you are
required to choose one among the listed four options and you will take care
of its delivery fee.

They are as follows:

1. FedEx Courier services overnight delivered to your doorstep ($300)
2. DHL Courier services 2days delivered to your doorstep ($250)
3. Ups Courier services. 3days delivery to your doorstep ($200)
4. SkyLink Express services 5day delivery to your doorstep ($150)

Furthermore, on receipt of your response and method of your chosen Courier
Services, I shall furnish you with the payment details which you would use
to wire the required delivery fee via MoneyGram or Western Union money
transfer or you may get an iTunes gift card. I will send the "ATM VISA CARD"
to you first thing tomorrow morning before going to Another delivery.
I shall give you the receiver's name that would be required to use to send
the delivery charges to either MoneyGram or Western Union or you send an
iTunes card if going to western union will be hard for you. kindly

reconfirm your delivery information to avoid wrong delivery.

1. Your Full Names_______
2. Country___________
3. City Airport_______
4. Home Address_______
5. Phone Number_____
6. Sex_______

I await your urgent response asap,

Best Regards
Fred White
Phone: +1 (909) 695-0078
Finance Department Washington DC USA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam