419 scam: "Berth Nnaji"<berthnnaji@ymail.com> Your Payment Approved

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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:
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "abuja" (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.
- +2347042022299 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Berth Nnaji" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <berth.nnajis@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 12:57:58 -0700
Subject: Your Payment Approved

ATTENTION:

I am Professor Berth Nnaji, National Special Adviser to President
His Excellency, Good-Luck Jonathan, Federal Republic of Nigeria
I am delighted to inform you that the contract panel, which just
concluded it's seating in Abuja just released your name and Email
amongst contractors to benefit from the Dept reconciliation. This
Panel was primarily delegated to investigate Manipulated contract
claims/inheritance, 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 Contractor while auditing was going on.
Your contract 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 Federal Government of Nigeria have special way for
you to receive payment, due to contractors numerous petitions to
United Nations against Nigeria on wrong payment and diversion of
contract funds to Different account.
You are advise to get back to me so that i will inform you the
proceedings of the payment. Please call as soon as possible on:
+234-7042022299.

Congratulations.///

Best Regards,
Professor Berth Nnaji.
National Security Adviser to the President
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam