419 scam: "Pitman JOHNSON"<JOHNSON@bulsat.com> URGENT NOTICE

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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:
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "accredited attorney" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "abuja" (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.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Pitman JOHNSON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pitmanjohnson@accountant.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2017 09:45:20 -0700
Subject: URGENT NOTICE

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION BOARD

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT,

CADASTRAL ZONE, ABUJA, NIGERIA

Our Ref:FGIB/OHG/00X09/2014

Your Ref:

My Name is Pitman JOHNSON, Did you send Mr Abraham Israeli to claim your fund .I am confused who is Mr Abraham Israeli, Your Brother? He emailed to me your Power Of attorney stating that a total sum Of $10M shall be wired to his bank account as your next Of kin.He said that you are dead, hence he have forwarded some documents of funeral service held for you

But we decided not to make any transfer into the bank accounts without proper verification and authorization from you as the beneficiary.Did you authorize the release of your fund into the account? We therefore request that you stop any communication with any office in the bank or else where.You should respond to this email immediately to enable us proceed with the release of your fund accordingly.

Kindly re-confirm the following information immediately for your 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.

These details from you will help to assist me reach a conclusion that you are not dead.

Yours truly,

Pitman JOHNSON

Accredited Attorney

Federal Government Information Board (FGIB)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam