419 scam: "Oceanic Bank Plc"<customercare@oceanicbankplc.com> UPDATE.

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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:
- "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. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "atm_dept24@qatar.io" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- "atm_dept24@qatar.io" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +2348035042061 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Oceanic Bank Plc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atm_dept24@qatar.io>
Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2010 02:47:11 +0100
Subject: UPDATE.

Oceanic Bank International Head Office, Herbert Macaulay Way, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja FCT. Tel: +234 803 504 2061 Fax: +234 813 375 0012 Dear Customer, THIS IS MY THIRD AND FINAL MAIL TO YOU!!! On behalf of the Management of Oceanic Bank Plc, I once again try to notify you as my previous letter were returned undelivered. I wish to inform you that we are in receipt of our ATM card issued in your favor with amount of $1.500, 000 only, From the FedEx Diplomatic Courier Service, and they told us to cancel the ATM card, since you have refused to pay for the insurance certificate cover fee which is $205usd. You are advised to contact us now and tell us what is going on, and why you refused to fulfill the needed obligations as the beneficiary of the Atm Card. Contact our Director ATM Swift Card Center. Elder Okoro Simpson, on this email (atm_dept24@qatar.io) and send your name, current address and telephone number to him, Regards. King Rita Obi Management.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam