419 scam: "Rev M icheal Ovia" <revmichealovia@edeex.com> Dear Valued Contract Beneficiary:

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (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.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- revmichealovia_55@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Rev M icheal Ovia" <revmichealovia@edeex.com>
Reply-To: revmichealovia_55@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:28:55 +0800
Subject: Dear Valued Contract Beneficiary:

PRESIDENCY OFFICE OF THE PAY MASTER
GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION
SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT ON FINANCIAL MATTERS
TINUBU SQUARE
MARINA LAGOS NIGERIA
DIRECT LINE: 011-234-703-265-7937
Our Ref:CBN/IRD/CGX/NNPC/021/08

Dear Valued Contract Beneficiary:
I am Rev.Michael J.Ovia the pay master general of the federation and also special
Adviser to the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria on contract and inheritance
matters, I am delighted to inform you that the contract panel,which just concluded its
seating in Abuja just released your name among the people to be compensated
due to the fact that we are not able to pay the whole fund been owed by this great nation
(NIGERIA) of ours, knowing fully well that if we decide to pay all our debts that it
would affect our country's economy.

This Panel was primarily delegated to investigate manipulated contract and inheritance
claims and over-invoiced payment as the effect has eaten deep into the economy of our
dear country.

However, we wish to bring to your notice that your contract inheritance profile is still
reflecting in our central computer as unpaid fund while auditing was going on.

Your file was forwarded to my office by the auditors as unclaimed fund, we wish to use
this medium to inform you that for the time being,The Federal Government of Nigeria
have stopped further payment through bank to bank Transfer due to numerous petitions to
United Nations against Nigeria on wrong payment and diversion of funds to different
account.

In this regards, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has decided to compensate
you with the sum of $10.5 Million USD. via courier.You are hereby advised to indicate your
choiceful method via which you want the money delivered to you from the list stated below:

1. PAYMENT VIA DRAFT DELIVERY:
2. PAYMENT VIA CASH DELIVERY
:
Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Residential address
4) Company name, Office position and Company address.
5) Profession, Age and marital status.
6) Working I'd / Int'l

passport As soon as this information are received, your payment will be made to you
either by certified bank draft or cash delivery,depending on whichever and a copy of
your fund
approval will be given to you for the confirmation of your payment.

I will call you on your direct number as soon as you receive and reply to this message
for a serious discussion with you.
You can call me for more discussion on this matter.011-234-703-265-7937
Best Regards,
Rev.Michael J.Ovia.
DIRECT LINE: 011-234-703-265-7937
E-Mail' revmichealovia_55@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam