419 scam: "CITIBANK GROUP" <yp@c-net.bz> Fund Transfer Update

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "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. )
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- michael.citibankny@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "CITIBANK GROUP" <yp@c-net.bz>
Reply-To: info.citibankgroup@terra.com
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 09:40:24 -0400
Subject: Fund Transfer Update

CitiBank Group Inc
399 Park Avenue,
New York, NY, 10022

Dear Sir

In cognizance with the settlement of your overdue funds valued at the sum of $5.5 million dollars, we are aware that there has been several hurdles and delays in your fund transfer due to new requirements from the US Federal Agencies. However, the good-news is that the US Government has finally approved your fund transfer through our branch CITIBANK, California. The approval instruction was giving following an agreement with the United Nations and the US Government at the ongoing 69th United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

Hence, by virtue of my position as the Chief Executive Officer, I have irrevocably instructed the CITIBANK, California, to release your $5.5 million dollars payment via SWIFT telegraphic wire transfer into your designated bank account. I wish to state categorically that your fund transfer valued at sum of $5.5 million dollars will be transferred into your designated bank account within 24 hours. It may interest you to know that all cost associated with the transfer of the $5.5 million dollars has been pre-paid by the United Nations. The only cost you are entitled to undertake as your responsibility is the cost of processing a "Fund Clearance Certificate", which is estimated to the value of $150. This "Fund Clearance Certificate" is a valid document, and it is required in accordance with the U.S. Monetary Policy.

For verification of my identity, please visit http://www.citigroup.com/citi/about/leaders/michael-corbat-ceo-bio.html

For urgent attention, Please kindly respond back to me via email at: michael.citibankny@gmail.com

Congratulations in advance!!!

Best regards,

Mr. Michael L. Corbat
Chief Executive Officer/MD
CITIBANK GROUP

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam