419 scam: CITIBANK OFFICE <citibanoffice@att.net> REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT $USD27M

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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:
- "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. )
- "million united states 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 advice to " (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: CITIBANK OFFICE <citibanoffice@att.net>
Reply-To: citibankoffice09@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:52:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT $USD27M

Citibank Office
399 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10022
NY Tel. 845-290-8253
www.citibank.com

REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT $USD27M

Attention:Sir/Madam ,

This is the second time we are notifying you about this said fund.

After due vetting and evaluation of your file that was sent to us by the USA Government in conjunction with the World Bank. This bank has an instruction to see to the immediate release of the sum of US$27M into your bank Account from their Domiciliary Account with this bank.

We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going through hard ways by paying a lot of charges to see to the release of your fund twenty seven million United States Dollars (US$27,000,000.00) , which has been the handiwork of some miscreant elements from that Country

We advice that you stop further communication with any correspondence from Nigeria, you don't have to pay any charges to receive your fund, as you have met up with the whole requirements. We know your representatives in Nigeria will advice you to still go ahead with them, which will be on your own risk.

The only thing required of you in this regard is to obtain Non-Resident Clearance Certificate from this USA Government. You will have to apply for the Non-Resident Clearance Certificate from the US Internal Revenue Agency,Should you follow up our directives, your fund (US$27,000,000.00) will reflect in your designated bank account within five Bank working days from the day we receive this Certificate. Do not go through anybody again but through this Bank if you really want your fund.

Finally, you are advice to re-confirm to this bank your receiving Bank Account, Where you want your fund to be remitted. And your contact Telephone and Fax Number.

YOURS FAITHFULLY,
Mr Gary L. Crittenden.
CFO and Director,
PRIVATE BANKING SECTION.
CITI BANK NEW YORK.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam