419 scam: "AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK"<mrskoffi@afdb.org> HAPPY NEW YEAR

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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:
- "drug clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- +234174360 (Nigeria, landline)
- +2348163104206

Fraud email example:

From: "AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <adbbank@mailaton.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2011 10:36:49 +0100
Subject: HAPPY NEW YEAR

From Desk of Mrs. Koffi .Jacques
The Vice President
African Development Bank,
No 120 Tinubu Square Lagos - Nigeria
(www.afdb.org)
email:adbbank@mailaton.com
Telephone: 234-1-74360

Subject: Your Fund Release.

I am Mrs. Koffi Jacques Vice President African Development Bank. This is to bring to your notice that my office has taking over all the money Transaction originated from any part of African and Europe countries as Contract payment, Fund Inheritance or Lottery Winning due to Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies In releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money Laundry activities going on world wide.

The World Bank Group has Mandated the African Development Bank via my Office to release funds to beneficiaries through Certified International Cashier's Bank Draft, Hence Your Name appears as one of the fund beneficiaries whom their fund was successfully cleared recently From Terrorist and Money laundry and your money will be released to you Through International Cashier's Bank Draft that will be cashable from any International Bank in your country been the only way you would receive Your money to avoid paying excess charges.

As regards to this arrangement You are advised to contact the telex director Dr. James Lars through his Direct telephone number +234 816 310 4206 email: drjameslars_africandevelopmentba@mailaton.com to issue you the International Cashier's bank Draft with the complete name you would provide to him. You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers Your complete name and your mailing address to Dr James Lars for Immediate release of your money most importantly be aware that Ten Million UNITED STATES Dollars Only (USD$10,000,000.00) was allocated to you and be also informed That the Funds Approvals and authorization document Including Anti Terrorist and Anti Drug Clearance certificate was issued in your name and has been handed over to Dr James Lars to be released to you through any faster courier service.

Therefore be aware that your fund has obtained all it's clearance for immediate released to you. Finally Dr James Lars is standby to receive your communication and Release your funds to you through International Cashier's Bank Draft without ANY delay. Make your contact directly to Dr James Lars, Tel: +234 816 310 4206 email: drjameslars_africandevelopmentba@mailaton.com at any time because we are working 24 Hours to be able to meet up with the mandate given to us by the World Bank. It is more better that you make your contact to him through telephone for more detailed information as he is a very busy Man.

Thanks for Your Cooperation.

MRS KOFFI JACQUES
( Vice President)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam