419 scam: "Mrs. Theresa Lewis (Hon.)"<paymentdept@cbn.org> Swift Card Payment Center

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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "remittanceoffice1@yahoo.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Theresa Lewis (Hon.)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <remittanceoffice1@yahoo.cn>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:11:24 -0500
Subject: Swift Card Payment Center

Attention,

This is to officially inform you that we have verified your inheritance contract file and found out why you have not received your payment, due to your lack of cooperation and not fulfilled the obligations given to you in respect of your inheritance payment.

We were Directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Finance and AUDITS and United Nations (UN) and (IMF)to transfer fund of ($5,000,000.00) FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DOLLARS) through International ATM VISA Card that will be deliver to your door step over there in your Country, which you can use in any Atm Machine or any bank around you.

You can make withdrawal of money from your International ATM VISA Card from any ATM MACHINE location or outlet of your choice/nearest to you, in any part of the world.Be informed that the office of the presidency on your behalf has secured the approval of your payment worth $5,000,000.00. so if you like to receive your funds this way kindly reconfirm the information below and send to remittanceoffice1@yahoo.cn for immediately release of your fund through our ATM Master card.

(1) Your Full Name
(2) Full residential address
(3) Phone And Fax Number
(4) Occupation.
(5) Personal Identification.Drivers license or International Passport.
(7) Age
(8) Marital Status.

For your own Benefit you are warned to stop any further communication you are having with any other persons or office to avoid any hitches/diversion of your fund .

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs. Theresa Lewis (Hon.)
Secretary to the Presidency

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam