419 scam: "DR. GOODLUCK JONATHAN" <officefile765@att.net> ATTENTION: DISTINGUISHED BENEFICIARY,

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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:
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: "DR. GOODLUCK JONATHAN" <officefile765@att.net>
Reply-To: goodluckjnthngdlck471@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 7 May 2010 07:35:01 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: ATTENTION: DISTINGUISHED BENEFICIARY,

ATTENTION: DISTINGUISHED BENEFICIARY,

I Dr. Goodluck Jonathan the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, I hereby confirm to that your overdue payment has been approved to be paid to you via Telegraphic Transfer (T.T) by the Central Bank of Nigeria. You are advised to reconfirm your Bank Details to enable the Central Bank of Nigeria have your fund credited to you via Swift Telegraphic Transfer.

In this regard you are advised to update the office of the President with all your identification such as your International Passport first and second page or your Official Identity Card to avoid effecting payment wrongly. In view of this you are rest assured to receive your payment as soon as you have the requested information supplied to the Office of the Acting President that has full control over the said payment that belongs to you. According to your file, you have cleared all your obligations regarding to the said overdue payment which will be credited into your account as soon as you receive this message and update the Office of the President.

Meanwhile, all the necessary documentations in respect of your payment has been procured on your behalf without any demand of fee nor charge in respect of the procurement of all the documents on your overdue payment. Endeavour to digest this message and get back to this office (Office of the President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan) immediately for onward release of your fund.

Yours faithfully,

DR. GOODLUCK JONATHAN

President, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam