419 scam: "Mr. Michael L. Corbat" <miccitigruop@live.com> WARNING!!!(CitiBank Payment Alert Verification)

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "into your nominated bank account" (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 united state 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
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.
- info.citigroup509@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Michael L. Corbat" <miccitigruop@live.com>
Reply-To: info.citigroup509@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 19:10:55 +0100
Subject: WARNING!!!(CitiBank Payment Alert Verification)

Dear Sir/Madam;

We are in receipt of your e-mail message and the content is well noted. Sequel to my previous e-mail to you which I made you understood that Mr. Sean Vickers came to our office to claim your fund worth $5,000,000.00USD (Five Million United State Dollars). As I Michael L. Corbat who is in charge of transferring funds to beneficiary's bank account I refused to transfer this fund to the account which he gave to me and you can read more about me here is some information about me:(http://www.citigroup.com/citi/about/leaders/michael-corbat-ceo- bio.html). On going through the file in my office we found out that he is not the rightful beneficiary to this fund, rather it was your e-mail that was found in my file. After going through the e-mail you sent to me that you did not authorize Mr. Sean Vickers to claim your fund, I had to table the matter to the board of directors of the Citi Bank and the office of the World Bank who are monitoring this transaction to avoid impostor those who claim to be what they are not. Note that after the meeting with the board of directors of the Citi Bank, I was made to understand that before your fund which is $5,000,000.00USD (Five Million United State Dollars) can be transferred in your nominated bank account you are require to provide your Fund Clearance Certificate for security reason. Be rest assured that immediately this certificate is provided, your funds will be transferred into your nominated bank account without any further delay. Be inform that if the needed certificate can not be provided from you, Note that the needed certificate can only be obtained from the Federal High Court of Justice which I will advise you to immediately get back to me on how it can be obtained to enable your fund gets into your bank account in 24hrs without delay.

Kindly re-confirm to me if this is inline with what we have in our record and also re-confirm the information below to enable this office proceed and finalize your fund remittance without further delay.

Your full name:

Direct telephone#:

Company name, position and address:

Profession, age and marital status:

Working I.d/Int'l passport:

For approval order on your behalf you are advise to contact my email address (info.citigroup509@gmail.com),for more clarifications. We wait to hearing from you soon and be rest assured of our professional service.

NOTE: The code to this office is (Citibank/5009) because of the fact that there have been a lot of internet scam around the globe be informed to be careful prior to these irregularities so that you don't fall victim to this ugly circumstance, also should in case you are already dealing with anybody or office claiming to be from the Citi Bank, you are advised to STOP further contact with them in your best interest for security reason.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

Best Regards

Mr. Michael L. Corbat
Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam