419 scam: "REV MICHEAL OVIA" <revmichealovia_55@hotmail.com> Dear Valued Contract 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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "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.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2347032657937
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.
- revmichealovia_55@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "REV MICHEAL OVIA" <revmichealovia_55@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 10:27:25 +0400 (MSD)
Subject: Dear Valued Contract Beneficiary:

PRESIDENCY OFFICE OF THE PAY MASTER
GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND
SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT ON FINANCIAL MATTERS
TINUBU SQUARE
MARINA LAGOS NIGERIA
DIRECT LINE: +234-703-265-7937
Our Ref:CBN/IRD/CGX/NNPC/021/08

Dear Valued Contract Beneficiary:

I am Rev.Michael J.Ovia the pay master general of the federation and also
special Adviser to the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria on
contract and inheritance matters, I am delighted to inform you that the
contract panel,which just concluded its seating in Abuja just released
your name among the people to be compensated due to the fact that we are
not able to pay the whole fund been owed by this great nation (NIGERIA) of
ours, knowing fully well that if we decide to pay all our debts that it
would affect our country's economy.

This Panel was primarily delegated to investigate manipulated contract and
inheritance claims and over-invoiced payment as the effect has eaten deep
into the economy of our dear country. However, we wish to bring to your
notice that your contract/inheritance profile is still reflecting in our
central computer as unpaid fund while
auditing was going on.

Your file was forwarded to my office by the auditors as unclaimed fund, we
wish to use this medium to inform you that for the time being,The Federal
Government of Nigeria have stopped further payment through bank to bank
Transfer due to numerous petitions to United Nations against Nigeria on
wrong payment and diversion of funds to different account.

In this regards, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has
decided to compensate you with the sum of $10.5 Million USD. via
courier.You are hereby advised to indicate your choiceful method via which
you
wantthe money delivered to you from the list stated below:

1. PAYMENT VIA DRAFT DELIVERY:
2. PAYMENT VIA CASH DELIVERY:
Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:
1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Residential address
4) Company name, Office position and Company address.
5) Profession, Age and marital status.
6) Working I'd / Int'l
passport As soon as this informations are received, your payment will be
made to you either by certified bank draft or cash delivery,depending on
whichever and a copy of your fund approval will be given to you for the
confirmationof
your payment.

I will call you on your direct number as soon as you receive and reply to
this message for a serious discussion with you.
You can call me for more discussion on this matter+234-703-265-7937
Best Regards,
Rev.Michael J.Ovia.
DIRECT LINE: +234-703-265-7937
revmichealovia_55@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam