419 scam: "Mr.Peter Douglas" <psilsby@optusnet.com.au> Urgent

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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Peter Douglas" <psilsby@optusnet.com.au>
Reply-To: payc01@confidential.tips
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:58:48 -0700
Subject: Urgent

I am Peter Douglas,United Nations Inspection Agent in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Arizona.We are conducting a second phase audition on all abandoned Consignments in USA Airports are being transferred to our facilities here for inspection and confiscation.During our investigation,I discovered an abandoned luggage on your name which was transferred to our facility here and when scanned,it revealed an undisclosed sum of money in a Metal Trunk Box.The consignment was abandoned because the Content was not properly declared by the consignee as money,rather it was declared as personal effect to avoid diversion by the Diplomatic Agent and his inability to pay for Non Inspection Fees.
On my assumption,the box will contain more than $6M and the consignment is left in a storage house till today through a Courier Dispatch Service.Kindly provide your details to crosscheck with the information on the official documents/box because your name and information are tagged on them.
I want us to transact this business and share the money,since the shipper has abandoned it and ran away.I will pay for the Non inspection fee and arrange for the box to be moved out of this Airport to your address.I will use my good office to clear and deliver the box to you only if you are agree to take 70% and give me 30% of the money.
Futher details will be given to you as soon as you respomd and remember to keep all our communication cofidential.
Regards,
Peter Douglas
INSPECTION OFFICER

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam