419 scam: "WORLD BANK AUDITORS"<drmichaelalbert@worldbank.com> URGENT RESPONSE

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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:
- "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447035970247 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- dralbertmichael@mail2finance.com (Mail2finance; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "WORLD BANK AUDITORS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dralbertmichael@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:00:53 +0100
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE

The World Bank Auditors
Special Representative of The World Bank To United
Nation And The World Trade Organization
Branch office: London-England, United Kingdom.
Tel- +44 7035970247
Email:dralbertmichael@mail2finance.com

Attn: Beneficiary

We apologies, for the delay of your payment and all the inconveniences and inflict that we
might have indulge you through. However, we were having some minor problems with our payment
system, which is inexplicable, and have held us stranded and indolent, not having the
aspiration to devote our 100% assiduity in accrediting foreign contract payments. We
apologies once again.

>From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of
Nigeria your name and company is on the list major contractors who have not received their
payments from the World Bank Representative.
I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as
soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in my file your
outstanding contract payment is USD$5.8 Millions, so kindly contact us for the immediate
transfer of your already approved funds that tested ok!

Please re-confirm to us if this is in-line with what you have in your record and also
re-confirm to me the followings

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Working I’d/Int'l passport.
6) Banking Information.

As soon as this information is received and confirmed, your payment will be made to you via
telegraphic wire transfer or ATM Cash Card. Get back to me immediately.
As a result of the on-going drive of the Government to update its books and clear payment to
contractors, I strongly recommend that you promptly start your clearance as soon as possible
for more clarification and for immediate transfer of your funds.

Yours truly,

Mr. Albert Michael
Director, Foreign Operation

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam