419 scam: "Mr. Christopher Knight"<standardchar@gmail.com> Read Official Transfer Order

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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:

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:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million dollars" (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)
- "economic and financial crimes commission" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "(efcc)" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "fbi washington" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real FBI will not tell you to contact some email address. If you are in any doubt, contact an FBI field office via www.fbi.gov. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Christopher Knight" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <view009@rediffmail.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2011 05:11:27 +0200
Subject: Read Official Transfer Order

Dear beneficiary

In cognizance with the settlement of your overdue funds valued at the sum of $5.5 million dollars, we are aware that there has been several hurdles and delays in your fund transfer due to new requirements from the US Federal Agencies. Nevertheless, we are almost close to the final completion of your fund transfer. However, it may interest you to know that the newly inaugurated President, Dr. Good-luck Jonathan has finally approved your payment for release through the Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria. According to report received from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the FBI, we understand that you have been receiving fraudulent e-mails emanating from West Africa, particularly from Nigeria and Ghana. Hence, following the approval order from the United Nations and the US Government at a recently concluded meeting held today regarding settlement of UNPAID contract/Inherantance funds, the Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria has been approved as the authourized fi!
nancial institution to initiate

However, be advised that obtaining the "International Fund Transfer Clearance Certificate" is a mandatory pre-requisite for you fund release. Hence, it must be given an immediate attention without delay. Please arrange to secure and send the $150 dollars today, so that the "International Fund Transfer Clearance Certificate" can be obtained from the FSA Regional Office today before they will be closed by 7:00 PM. The information required to send the $150 dollars is hereunder stated below:

NAME OF RECEIVER: JOHN MICHAEL
TEST QUESTION: TODAY
ANSWER: MONDAY
AMOUNT: $150 DOLLARS

The earlier you can send the $150 dollars, the better chance for us to obtain the "International Fund Transfer Clearance Certificate". However, do take note that once the "International Fund Transfer Clearance Certificate" has been obtained from the FSA today, it will be passed on immediately to the FBI Washington Field Office and the $5.5 million dollars will be credited into your BANK account with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, it is pertinent for you to note that after payment of the $150.00 USD for obtaining the "International Fund Transfer Clearance Certificate", we will set-up an online account in your favor here at the Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria in order to give you the privilege of transferring the funds yourself via our online banking website. This method was adopted to save the stress of going through any form of bureaucratic processes. Hence, you are oblige to reconfirm your bank details to avoid further delay or mistake. However, I am enclosing herewith a scanned copy of my identity as the MD/CEO of the Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria. Alternatively, you can look up my identity by visiting our bank's official website at http://www.standardchartered.com/ng

Congratulations in advance!!!

Yours faithfully.

Mr. Christopher Knight
Chief Executive Officer
Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam