419 scam: "Patrick Ibok" <mikibii@yahoo.com> your payment advice

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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:
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- grhamdub@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Patrick Ibok" <mikibii@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: grhamdub@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 23:47:00 +0600 (BDT)
Subject: your payment advice

Senate Committee on Foreign Payment (SCOFP)
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Attn: Honorable fund beneficiary,

Sir,

This is to inform you that you are among funds Beneficiary
whose payment compensation has been made through a confirmable draft
payable through HSBC Bank of London.

A draft of one million five hundred thousand states dollars (US$1.5M)
has been raised in your favor as compensation to you as the beneficiaries
/ contractors
by the Federal Government of Nigeria for the suspension all monetary
payment out
side our country as a result of the global economic melt down.

Further amount may be paid you if our verification of the contract payment
is through.

You are advised as a matter of urgency to contact the Director Debt
Management office of the federation Mr. Douglas Ibe on
telephone number 234-7095274767,or e-mail grhamdub@gmail.com, for the
original copy of the instrument,

All you have to do is to furnish him with your receiving mailing address,
telephone and fax numbers for the original copy of the draft that will be
sent to you through Courier service (NipoEx). Urgent attention is required
as the draft validity expires in 14 banking Days
Congratulations.

Regards,
Senator Patrick Ibok

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam