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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF YOUR FUNDS." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drwa_private@yahoo.gr>
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 10:43:37 -0800
Subject: ATTN: BENEFICIARY, 6th Jan. 2010

OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC.
TINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS- NIGERIA.
Our Ref: OBIP/FOHG/OXD1/2010
TELEX: OCEBANK.
 
7th Jan. 2010
 
ATTN: BENEFICIARY,
 
PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF YOUR FUNDS.
 
Definitely, I know that this letter will be a surprising one to you. Firstly, I will like to Introduce myself formally as Dr.Walter Waziri, The Executive director of The Oceanic Bank International (OBIP).You are being officially contacted by me today because your Unpaid Funds were Re-deposited into the "Federal Suspense Account" of CBN last week because you did not complete
your Claim as the Rightful beneficiary.
 
Well known to all, The Central Bank of Nigeria is the Head Bank of all commercial Banks here in Nigeria but the nominated Bank is (OCEANIC BANK INT'L PLC.)  I was visited in my office TODAY by three foreigners, really these gentlemen were unexpected by me because their visit was impromptu. I had to ask them why they came to see me in person and they said that they came to collect your Inheritance/Contract funds bill sum of US$15.5 Million which rightfully belongs to you as shown in your file with us, on your behalf and by your Authorization.
 
Note that they actually tendered some vital documents which proved that you actually sent them for the collection of these funds. Below is the list of the documents which they tendered to this bank today: 1. Letter of Administration. 2. High court Injunction. 3. Order to release.
 
Due to the nature of my job, I cannot afford to make any mistake in releasing these funds to anyone except you who is the recognized true beneficiary to these funds. I finally, told them to come back Next Week so that I can verify this from you first. Kindly clarify us on this issue if they are from you before we make this Payment to them. Note that for security reasons you have been assigned a code/password which is {EFT7270OBIP}, Please note that this code is the reference number for your transfer and it’s being disclosed to you alone, guard this with jealously and all your email response should carry this code as the subject.
 
I will be waiting to hear from you soon.
 
Yours Faithfully,
 
Dr. Walter Waziri
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OCEANIC INT'L PLC.
 
Statement of confidentiality: "The information in this email and in any attachments may contain confidential information and is intended solely for the attention and use of the named addressee(s). It may not be disclosed to any person without authorization. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient you are not authorized to and must not disclose, copy, distribute or retain this message or any part of” it”

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