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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Platinum Habib Bank Plc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bannking-onlineservice@live.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2010 06:46:56 -0800
Subject: Your Compensation Payment of $950.000USD

Dear Sir/Madam
 
This is to inform you that the PLATINUM HABBIB BANK (BANK PHB) has been approved to take charge of the release of funds to the respective beneficiaries in the list after proper scrutiny and considerations by member states. The sum of NINE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS (US$950.000.00) was considerably approved for each beneficiary/victim.
 
All concerned victims are required to contact the Director of Foreign Operations Department of the PLATINUM HABBIB BANK (BANK PHB) with the below stated information:-
 
CONTACT PERSON: Michael Ajukwu (MR.)
Direct Line: +234-709-266-5783
 
Note; beneficiaries are required to contact the PLATINUM HABBIB BANK (BANK PHB)  with their full name(s), address, age, marital status and phone number for verification and processing of payment.
 
It is pertinent to inform the concerned beneficiaries that there is only one (1) approved options of payment namely, ATM VISA CARD; the beneficiaries are required to indicate choice of Card option in their response.
Do not hesitate to ask question(s) where you consider necessary for further clarification.
 
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Gambo
Secretary, African Union (AU)
 
 
This email message is intended only for the use of the named recipient. Information contained in this email message and its attachments may be privileged, confidential and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy, use or disclose this communication to others. Also please notify the sender by replying to this message and then delete it from your system.

Anti-fraud resources: