419 scam: "Citigroup"<priority@handbag.com> Citigroup UK Ref: 80/177/15/42

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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:
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "cheque " (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Citigroup" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kateudens@eyou.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:30:09 -0000
Subject: Citigroup UK Ref: 80/177/15/42

CitiGroup Plc,

United Kingdom's Corporate Head Office,

Canada Square, Canary Wharf,

London E14 5LB U.K.

Attention,

Having been appointed the CHAIRMAN/CEO of CITIGROUP on 22nd January 2009, I discovered a huge sum of money in your names as the sole beneficiary which was deposited in a DORMANT ACCOUNT for sometime now. All efforts to trace

the depositors since my assumption as the new Citibank's Chief Executive proved abortive and unsuccessful, hence, I have decided to contact you. This is to officially update you about today's meeting held by Citigroup's Governing Board. Part of the meeting's memorandum was your urgent payment release. As a result of the diversified nature of our

Modus Operandi and to effectively release and transfer your funds of GBP4.5M {Four Million Five Hundred Thousand British Pounds Sterlings} Only to you, You are to reconfirm the below details without delay:

FULL NAMES:, CURRENT ADDRESS:, TELEPHONE NUMBER/MOBILE[S]:, FAX NUMBER[S]:, AGE:, SEX:, MARITAL STATUS:, PROFESSION:

I have used the position of my office to confirm all the relevant documentations on your behalf, I will also link you with our Director, International Remittance Dept. (Mrs. Christie Girish) whom you will deal with directly for the urgent release of your funds of GBP4.5M {Four Million Five Hundred Thousand British Pounds Sterlings} Only. The bank will set up a new account in your name where your fund of GBP4.5 Million will be credited as it's being

DORMANT and Inactive in a suspence account.

Upon the account activation in your name, all the details, pin codes, cheque books, ATM Cards and all other relevant papers will be mailed to you to enable you have an instant access to your account and make withdrawals or transfer whole into your local bank account in your country of residence by yourself through a Telephone Banking Service.

Failure to respond to this payment notice within five banking days from this day will warrant automatic PAYMENT CANCELLATIONS.

I await your prompt response.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Yours faithfully,

Sr. Richard D. Parsons,

Chairman, Citigoup Plc.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam