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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zenithbankn86@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:11:19 +0400
Subject: ARE YOU DED OR ALIVE? PLEASE RESPOND QUICKLY

ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC.
Zenith Holdings Plc
8 Canada Square.
Victoria Island Lagos Airport
Road E14 5HQ. Nigeria.
Telephone: (+234-8082406316)


Attention: Attention: Attention,

I know this letter will come to you as surprise one but I want you to read
this with maturity. This day, one Mrs. Cynthia Edward, came to my office
to let us know that you are DEAD, and before your death, you instructed
her to come for the claim of your funds in the tune of US$2, Million that
was long abandoned in your name with this bank (ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK
PLC) this is what we want to verify from you before we make the payment to
who came for the claim.

(:I) Did you authorize Mrs. Cynthia Edward to come for your claim?
(ii) Are you truly Dead OR Alive?

If (NO) you are hereby advice as a matter of urgency to reconfirm the
details of this message within 24hours, hence your funds shall be wired
into her account without any more delay.

Lastly, you are advice to reconfirm the details of this message and get
back immediately with these information\'s
Below..

1. Full name:................

2. Direct telephone number:...

3. Address:.................... ..........

4. Your personal identification to enable us confirms you are not dead.
This information\'s above must be provided for reconfirmation to Enable us
make payment to you, hence, your funds will be remit/wire into her account
as already provide to this management.

We wait for your urgent response today. You need to act very fast, because
if this bank wait for your urgent reply within three working days and did
not received any message from you, you will be consider dead, and your
funds will be transfer to Mrs. Cynthia Edward.

Here is an account provide by Mrs. Cynthia Edward to this bank, are you
also the one who ask her to provide this bank account to us?

Washington Mutual Bank
2075 S. Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
800 788-7000
Acct. name: Mrs. Cynthia Edward.
Type: Checking
ABA # 322271627
Acct # 1951204345
Amount: US$2, Million.

Furthermore, this bank discovered that you have been dealing with some bad
eggs officials whom SCAMED some money from you without doing the right
thing, Be advice to STOP further communication with them, your funds is
now approved for payment, follow the right procedure now.

This message demand urgent attention, the bank is waiting to hear from
you; do call this below direct number.

Mobile Direct Hot Line: (+234-8082406316)

Regards,
Mr. Jim Ovia.
Head of Accounting Operations
(ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC)

Anti-fraud resources: