419 scam: "OCEANIC BANK PLC"<cbn00000000@rediff.com> I WISH YOU THE BEST AS YOU READ THIS!!!

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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:
- ",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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
- +2348059827834 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- bencole013@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "OCEANIC BANK PLC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bencole_14@rediff.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2011 18:42:33 -0000
Subject: I WISH YOU THE BEST AS YOU READ THIS!!!

>From Oceanic Bank Nigeria Plc
Oceanic House Ozumba Mbadiwe Street
Victoria Island Lagos Nigeria

RE: PAYMENT OF US$2,000,000.00 INTEREST INTO YOUR ACCOUNT:

I am Mr. Ben Cole Managing Director, Corporate Services Division and Head of Swift Transfer Unit of Oceanic
Bank Lagos.

Sometime ago, Contract/inheritance fund was brought to our office from NNPC and after some period, the money
was taken back to their treasury. But for the period of time this money was us, it generated an interest of
US$2,000,000.00 which we are about to pay you.

For your information and advice, you need to hasten up to pick this Fund because from time to time the
National NNPC Group auditors do come to our bank to cross-check our files and our financial update, the
earlier you comply with the demands of the release of the fund, the faster the action, because when the
auditors arrive and find out that this interest fund is still in our bank they will call back the accrued
interest to the NNPC treasury account.

What we need from you now is any form of your identification for example; your International passport or your
driver license, your telephone and fax numbers for easy communication to you with your receiving bank details
and address, or if you wish to have this fund paid to you through any other means that you find more suitable
kindly indicate meanwhile, forward your banking details to us. As a matter of fact we don’t have enough time
to waste since we have wasted time in trying the best way to reach you since we do not have your contact phone
number, so try and comply with the entire necessary requirement for the transaction to be completed by
contacting the gentlemen below for the payment.

Contact Mr. Ben Cole
bencole013@yahoo.co.jp
Phone:+234-8059827834

Note that we don't have much time left.

Expecting your immediately response.

*********************************************************************
Oceanic Bank Plc : CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This transmission may contain confidential information protected by state or federal law. The information is
intended only for use consistent with the state business discussed in this transmission. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any
action based on the contents is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please
delete this email and notify the sender immediately. Your cooperation will be appreciated.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam