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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: "Mrs.Vivian Meche" <icb.bank@att.net>
Reply-To: <fedexcourier1160@rocketmail.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:04:37 -0800
Subject: Attention: Beneficiary

 
The Regional Manager
Through:
Foreign Payment Unit
Foreign Remittance Department
International Commercial Bank Gh.Ltd
C913/3 Crescent Rd,North Ridge,
Box 207 Greater Accra Ghana.
Tel/Fax:+233-267-405-139
Email;icb.bank@att.net
 
 
Attention: Beneficiary (ATM Visa Card)
 
We are in respect to your fund deposited with our Security Department, International Commercial Bank LTD (ICB BANK GROUP). A meeting was held last weekend as to the matters surrounding the Remittance of your fund. After all deliberation the Panel and the Board of Director Agreed/concluded to load your fund into a Worldwide Accessible ATM Visa Card.
We have waited for you to get in contact with us for claim of your ATM Visa Card loaded with the total sum of $5.5 (five Million,five hundred thousand US Dollars) only, which you can make your withdrawal of your Money at any ATM Machine Worldwide. Hence, we have deposited it with a Registered Courier Service Company here in Ghana under Insurance Coverage Policy.
Note that the Management of this Bank has already paid for the Delivery, Insurance, Non-Inspection and Yellow Tagged Fee/Charges, but they did not allow us to pay for the Security Keeping Fee because they do not know when you will be contacting them. The Security Keeping Fee is only the sum of 75 USA DOLLARS (Seventy-Five USA DOLLARS only). All that you need to do is to contact this Registered Courier Service Company through the below Details Information for your Claim. The, you are required to pay the security keeping fee so that they will dispatch your package to your address immediately. Contact the Director General:
Dr. Evans Thomas (FedEx Courier Service Company) Ghana
C 913/3, Crescent Rd. North Ridge, Box 207,
Greater Accra, Ghana.
E-mail: fedexcourier1160@rocketmail.com
Tel-  00233-270-307800.
Kindly make sure you send your  First Name, Last Name, Telephone Number and Delivery address. Indicating this code {I.C.B.G.H} at your email Subject so that they will know you as Rightful Owner/Beneficiary.
 
Have a Great Day.
 
Mrs.Vivian Meche(Secretary)
For the management of the ICB-GHANA.
cc: Head Foreign Payment Unit.

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