419 scam: "Victor Abiola"<walesr4@gmail.com> ****DEAR 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:

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:
- "swift card payment center" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "card center will send you an atm card" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- platiniumhabibcreditcardunit@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Victor Abiola" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <platiniumhabibcreditcardunit@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:36:45 +0200
Subject: ****DEAR BENEFICIARY****

Dear Beneficiary,

This is to officially inform you about our recent agreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria to handle all their foreign payments. Based on this development, we have verified your File and discovered reasons why you are yet to receive your payment. It is because of Irregularities and Complications discovered on your Payment File by our Technical Experts in respect to your Payment Requirements which have just been duly rectified.

You are hereby directed by our Intelligent Monitory Unit to stop any further dealings with Impostors and Non- Recommended Officials. Such acts MUST STOP FOR SECURITY REASONS. If you wish to receive your payment in time and accordingly since we have decided to bring a solution to your problem, right now we have arranged your payment through our ATM Swift Card Payment Center of HABIB BANK NIGERIA PLC.

Below is the arrangements.

The Swift card Center will send you an Atm Card which you will use to withdraw your money from any ATM machine in any part of the World, but the maximum is (One Hundred Thousand Dollars $100.000.00) per day, so if you like to receive your Fund this way please do let us know by contacting the ATM Card Payment Center of HABIB BANK NIGERIA PLC.

1) Your Full Names

2) Address where you want them to send the Card through Diplomatic Courier Service (P.O box not accepted)

3) Profession

4) A valid phone number where you can be reached.

We have been mandated by the Federal Government of Nigeria to issue out US$2 million as part payment for this fiscal year 2008.

For your information you have to stop any further communication with any institution or office until you receive the fund through the Atm Card.

Note : Because of Impostors, we hereby issue you our Code of Conduct Tag Number which is (805) so you must have to indicate this Code when contacting the Card Center.

If there is any question, contact Habib Customers Service Center office via E-mail: platiniumhabibcreditcardunit@gmail.com

We await your urgent response.

Best Regards,

Victor Abiola
Managing Director Information Department,
HABIB BANK NIGERIA PLC

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam