419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "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.
- 2348181414454

Fraud email example:

From: "MR JIM OVIA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zenithbnkofnigeria2011@ovi.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:03:26 +0100
Subject: >>>SUSPECTED<<<
URGENT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF YOUR FUNDS..

FROM MR.JIM OVIA
ZENITH BANK OF NIGERIA
THE HONORABLE, GOVERNOR OF ZENITH BANK.
12, Block E, Ogba Industrial Estate, Acme Road,
Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos
Telephone: 234-818-141-4454,
Email: zenithbnkofnigeria2011@ovi.com
Our Ref: ZENITH/OHG/OXD1/2011
Your Ref:...............................
TELEX: ZENITH/BANK.
PAYMENT FILE: ZENITH/BEN/06.

URGENT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF YOUR FUNDS..

My name is Mr Jim Ovia the Executive Governor Of The Zenith Bank of Nigeria (ZBN) and the Executive Chairman of "E.C.D.R".I discovered that your name and email address (in the Central Computer among the list of unpaid contractors, inheritance next of kin and lotto beneficiaries that was originated from Africa ( Nigerian Government) Europe, Asia Plus Middle east, Americans) among the list of individuals and companies that your unpaid fund has been located to a suspense account.
Please confirm this information. Did you ask MR Edmond Stock Beneker from USA to claim your funds Valued at $10 million from the Zenith bank of Nigeria? This man was directed to us by Mr. John Adams the diplomat that is supposed to deliver your fund to you.
We in this Bank do not understand why you sent this man to come and Collect your Funds on your behalf,if actually you want him to help you collect your Inheritance Bill Sum Of $10million which is being uploaded into an ATM, at least you should have informed me as the Executive Director of this Bank
Please with matter of urgency get back to me immediately before things will go wrong. Below is the account details of Mr. Edmond Barkley Where he want us to transfer your fund into.

Name on account: Edmond Barkley
Bank: Wachovia
Address:8233 Rochester Hwy. SC4600 Salem, SC 29676 USA
Acct.# : 1010246561978
Routing#:053207766
Swift Code: pnbpus76

He is trying to pay all the charges about your funds and claim your funds. Please your urgent confirmation is highly needed now before Your fund will be released to him in the next 48 hours, and please if you know that you never instructed him kindly get back to me immediately via my alternative email address: zenithbnkofnigeria2011@ovi.com

Re-confirm the following immediately for payment approval:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Copy of int'l passport, driver's license, or any valid ID card.

Please quote this payment codes (CODE :FGN/ZENITH 3124-FILE111-ZBN) in all conversation or else you will not be recognized as a beneficiary/contractor with this Government and note any further message without my pictured should be disregarded to avoid any fraudulent hijack of information.

Regards,

Mr Jim Ovia
Executive Governor
Zenith Bank of Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam