419 scam: "IC3" <> Internet Crimes Complaint Center

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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)
- "ic3_dept@onmail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "IC3" <>
Reply-To: ic3_dept@onmail.com
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2023 06:25:00 -0700
Subject: Internet Crimes Complaint Center

Internet Crimes Complaint Center
Counter-terrorism Division and Cyber Crime Division
ICC Headquarters.

RE: CHANGE OF ACCOUNT PARTICULARS ON YOUR BENEFICIARY FILE.

We have just received a payment credit instruction from the Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3) in collaboration with FBI and Government Reserve Escrow Bank to credit your account with your full funds valued at (ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY) from the Government Reserve Escrow Bank.

Note: Government Reserve Escrow Bank has just finished programming your file for the transfer to commence today, Be aware that the Government Reserve Escrow Bank received the below notice from some body who goes by the name Mr. Fred Wong of Pegasus Investment Limited so we decided to contact you in person before the transfer commences so that we do not transfer this money into a wrong person's account. Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3) hereby sends to you the information submitted by Mr. Fred Wong of Pegasus Investment Limited, Hong-Kong with an application to receive the contract payment on your behalf. Please as a matter of urgency, you are required to confirm to us that you are aware or know anything about this.

1. Did you instruct one Mr.Fred Wong of Pegasus Investment Limited Hong-Kong, whose information is below, to claim and receive the payment on your behalf?
2. Did you sign any "Deed of Assignment" in his favor thereby making him the current beneficiary with the following account details?

Account Name: Pegasus Investment Limited,
Bank Name: FALCON PRIVATE BANK AG,
Switzerland,
A/C #: 3437970,
Swift Code: UEBECHZZ.

Finally, you are hereby advised to indicate to this honorable office Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3) with immediate effect, if you are the person that instructed Mr. Fred Wong to come for the claim of these funds, to enable Government Reserve Escrow Bank endorse for the final payment.

Yours sincerely,
Director of Payments
ic3_dept@onmail.com

532 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77091, USA
Mon-Fri: 9AM TO 6PM
Sat-Sun: 10AM TO 3PM

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam