419 scam: "Patrick Paul"<travel@jasper.co.za> YOUR PAYMENT OF 5.5 MILLION DOLLARS VIA ZENITH BANK-VISA DEBIT CARD.

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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:
- "million 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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Patrick Paul" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <taiwohasssanvent@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2012 15:50:38 +0100
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT OF 5.5 MILLION DOLLARS VIA ZENITH BANK-VISA DEBIT CARD.

ZENITH BANK PLC.

Plot 84, Ajose Adeogun Street Victoria Island Lagos, Nigeria

Headquarters

ISIN CODE : NGZENITHBNK9

Attn: Beneficiary.

YOUR PAYMENT OF 5.5 MILLION DOLLARS VIA ZENITH BANK-VISA DEBIT CARD.

This is to inform you that due to the numerous fraudulent activities of some government officials here, the presidency has directed that your long overdue payment now be finally settled through this newly inaugurated special payment scheme.

In this payment scheme, your payment is to be programmed into a zenith bank visa card account, this is a central bank of Nigeria new working relationship with zenith Bank London, which was put in place to curb incidents of fraud. In this said arrangement, your payment shall be uploaded into a zenith bank visa card that will enable you either to download your payment at any ATM machine or at your local bank account.

However for the purpose of proper verification of your identity, among other relevant information and release of your visa card to you, it is important you contact this office for the special payment at the above listed address or direct

Yours faithfully,

Thanks,

Patrick Paul,

Director, Banking Supervisor

ATM Card Dept

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam