419 scam: "FPVO" <ronaug4445@poczta.onet.eu> Dear Friend, contact me after reading

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "FPVO" <ronaug4445@poczta.onet.eu>
Reply-To: <ipsvb2010@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:26:27 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend, contact me after reading

Dear Friend,

Are you still alive and are you the owner of the account details below?

Bank Name: Bank of America
Address: 1900 West Vernon Avenue Kinston North Carolina 28501 U.S.A
Account Number: 2370115799775
Routing Number: 053000196
Swift Code: BOFAUS3N

The above bank account information was presented yesterday by a Nigerian official and Foreigner from United States of America who says he is your partner that is assigned to claim your funds on your behalf. I am contacting you because the United Nations Security Council gave a payment instruction in your favor with reference number #: FGN/PP/009/2010.This council was set up to make sure beneficiaries of funds get their overdue payment on time through the proper and trusted channel. This important notice is to let you know that your payment is ready to be paid to you via Swift Bank Transfer to your account, so please confirm if the above bank information is correct so that the transfer of your funds can be done on time.

Please note that your payment will be processed and released to you as soon as you respond to this confidential letter, also be informed that all payment through ATM cards and certified bank draft have been cancelled indefinitely by the Presidency because we have received many complaints of lost drafts and ATM so for this reason, no payment will come to you through ATM card or draft. You are hereby advised to discontinue with anyone who tells you about ATM card or draft, that person is a liar.

I require your trust and cooperation so that I can perfect the release of your funds to you.

Yours truly,

Mr. Ronald Augustine
Director of Foreign Payment Verification office
Federal Republic of Nigeria/United Kingdom

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam