419 scam: "Christopher" <gpignataro@mail.optusnet.com.au> RESPOND IT URGENT

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
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.
- lhuddles0197@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Christopher" <gpignataro@mail.optusnet.com.au>
Reply-To: wray645@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2023 03:20:35 -0800
Subject: RESPOND IT URGENT

FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Beneficiary,

We hope this notification arrive meeting your good state of health. (F B I) Washington, DC in conjunction with some other relevant investigation agencies here in the United States of America have recently been informed through our Global Intelligence Monitoring Network that you have an over-due payment worth of USD 10.3M Citibank.

Weâ€™ve also taken our time in screening through this project as stipulated on our protocol of operation and have finally confirmed that your payment/transaction with Citibank is 100% genuine and hitch free from all face and of which you have all lawful right to claim your funds without any further delay. We will further advise you to go ahead in dealing with the Citibank, AL and affiliated bank accordingly as we will be monitoring all their activities with you as well as your correspondence at all levels to caution any unprofessional conducts.

NOTE: There are numerous scam emails on the internet, imposters impersonating names and images. We therefore warn our dear beneficiaries to be very careful with any claim email you receive prior to these irregularities so that they do not fall victim to this ugly circumstances. And in case you are already dealing with anybody or office claiming that you have a payment with them, you are to STOP further contact with them immediately in your best interest and contact the real bank (Citibank) only where your fund is deposited, with the below information:

Bank Name: Bank Name: Citibank/First Monument-Private Bank
Address: 815 D Pelham Rd, Jacksonville, AL 36265.
Attn: Lambert Huddles
(Remittance Director)
E-mail: lhuddles0197@gmail.com
website: www.citibank.com

Contact the bank today and forward them this information below for processing of your payment/funds accordingly.

FULL NAME:
CURRENT ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP CODE:
DIRECT CONTACT NUMBER:

BEST REGARDS,
Christopher A. Wray
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
J. Edgar Hoover Building
601,4th Street,
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C.
20535-0001, USA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam