419 scam: "Citibank Group Plc"<info@citi.org> REF: YOUR PAYMENT VIA CITIBANK MASTERCARD DEBIT CARD

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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:
- "money laundering" ("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. )
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "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.
- +2348023914049 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- citibnk07@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Citibank Group Plc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <citibnk07@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:20:38 -0800
Subject: REF: YOUR PAYMENT VIA CITIBANK MASTERCARD DEBIT CARD

Citi Bank Group.
No. 1, Idowu Taylor Street
Victoria Island, Lagos ? Nigeria.
TEL: +234-802-391-4049
Email:citibnk07@hotmail.com
Ref: CITI/CMB/324/09

Dear Beneficiary,

REF: YOUR PAYMENT VIA CITIBANK MASTERCARD DEBIT CARD

This is to inform you that we have been directed by the incumbent government in
Nigeria to handle the final release of your funds as approved by the past
administration. Due to the numerous fraudulent activities, we have resolved to
implement the use of ATM DEBIT MasterCard for the release of your payment
which will be issued by our bank [Citibank].

In this proposed payment scheme, your funds will be credited into a Citibank
MasterCard account which will enable you either to make withdrawals at any ATM
point or at any Citibank branch close to you.

This is a Citibank new working initiative with the Nigeria government which was
put in place to curb the constant fraud activities associated with payments
such as this.

However for the purpose of official verification among other relevant details,
it is imperative that you supply us with the following requirements:

1. YOUR FULL NAME(S) AS WOULD REFLECT ON YOUR CARD.
2. FULL ADDRESS (SAFE FOR THE DELIVERY OF YOUR CARD)
3. TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
4. ANY FORM OF IDENTIFICATION.

Your card will come with an already programmed pin. You will be required to
change this pin to any four digit of your choice at any Citibank branch closeto you.

All legal documentation including the anti money laundering your favor are
intact. On receipt of your response, further directives shall be made available
to you.

Yours Faithfully,

MR. Nnanna Uba.
E-MAIL:citibnk07@hotmail.com
PRIVATE TEL: +234-802-391-4049

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam