419 scam: "FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION"<info@fbi.gov> PAYMENT NOTICE

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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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
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.
- patrickosas@accountant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <patrickosas@accountant.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 04:51:41 +0200
Subject: PAYMENT NOTICE

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
J.Edgar.Hoover Building Washington Dc

Attention ,

We are aware that you have not received your funds which is to the tune of $850,000.00 due to past corrupt Governmental Officials who almost took the funds to themselves for selfish reasons and some individuals who have taken advantage of the situation all in attempt to swindle your funds which has led to unnecessary delay in the receipt of your funds.

The National Central Bureau of Interpol enhanced by the United Nations and Federal Bureau of Investigation have successfully passed a mandate to the current president of Nigeria, President Good luck Jonathan to boost the exercise of clearing all foreign debts owed to you and other individuals and organizations who have been found not to have received their Contract funds, Lottery/Gambling, Inheritance, Loan and the likes.

You will be issued a custom pin based ATM card which you will use to withdraw up to $3,000 per day from any ATM machine that has the Master Card Logo on it and the card has to be renewed in 4 years time. Also with the ATM card you will be able to transfer your funds to your local bank account. The ATM card comes with a handbook or manual to enlighten you about how to use it even if you do not have a bank account.

Note: We have fully investigated and found out that everything has been taken care of by the Federal Government of Nigeria including taxes, custom paper and clearance duty so all you will ever need to pay is $450 for registration of funds with the courier service before your ATM CARD will be released to you. The CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA has signed a contract with their courier service which should expire by July 13th 2011 and you will only need to pay $450 instead of $620 saving you $170. So if you pay before July 13th, 2011 you save $170.

To effect the release of your fund valued at $850,000.00 you are advised to contact the Financial Secretary of our correspondent transfer bank in Africa (MR. Patrick Osas) through his email contact below requesting details on how to make payment:

MR. Patrick Osas (FINANCIAL SECRETARY)
Central Bank of Nigeria
Central Business District,
Cad astral Zone, federal
Capital Territory,
Nigeria.
Financial Secretary Mr. Patrick Osas
Email: patrickosas@accountant.com

You are advised to contact him with the information as stated below:

FULL NAMES: _____________________
FULL ADDRESS: _____________________
HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: _____________________
CELL PHONE NUMBER: _____________________
OFFICE PHONE NUMBER: _____________________

Upon receipt of payment the delivery officer will ensure that your package is sent within 48 working hours.

Yours sincerely,
Miss Donna Story
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam