419 scam: "African Development Bank." <mzjld54@sbcglobal.net> YOUR FUND RELEASE.

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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:
- "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (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.
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.
- +23417628317 (Nigeria, landline)
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.
- telexdirectorscreen@yahoo.co.jp (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "African Development Bank." <mzjld54@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: telexdirectorscreen@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:37:49 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOUR FUND RELEASE.

>From Desk of the President
African Development Bank
No 12 Tinubu Square Lagos-Nigeria

Dear Beneficiary,

I am Mr. Donald Kaberuka, the President, African Development Bank, This is to bring to your notice that my office has taking over all the money
Transaction originated from any part of African and Europe countries as Contract payment, Fund Inheritance or Lottery Winning due to Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies in releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money laundry activities going on worldwide.

The World Bank Group has Mandated the African Development bank via my office to release funds to beneficiaries through certified International Bank Draft, Hence Your Name appears as one of the fund beneficiaries whom their fund was Successfully cleared recently from Terrorist and Money laundry and your money will be released to you through International Cashier's Bank Draft that will be cashable from any International Bank in your country been the only way you would receive your money to avoid paying excess charges, As regard to this arrangement, you are advised to contact the Director telex and Screening Foreign Operations and Remittance Department. with the below
information

NAME: REV FRED UCHE
TELE: 234-1-762-8317
EMAIL: telexdirectorscreen@yahoo.co.jp

You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers, your complete name and your mailing address to Rev Fred Uche for immediate release of your money. Be aware that the amount due for you is Five Million United States Dollars Only (US5, 000,000.00). Be also informed that the Fund Approvals and authorization document Including Anti-terrorist Clearance Certificate was issued in your name and has been handed over to Rev Fred Uche to release to you through any fast courier company, therefore be aware that your fund has obtained all her clearance to be released to you.
Thanks for Your Cooperation.

Regards
Mr. Donald Kaberuka (President)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam