419 scam: "ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL"<zenart@verizon.net> YOUR PAYMENT HAS BEEN VERIFIED

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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:
- "required fee " (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 united states 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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- ",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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <contact.drgodwinemefiele@barid.com>
Date: Thu, 1 May 2014 23:21:38 +0100
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT HAS BEEN VERIFIED

ATTENTION:

We write in regards to your delayed payment in the sum of One Million,Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars(US$1,500,000.00) which you are yet to receive as a result of your inability to raise the required fee to conclude your Transaction.

The International Monetary Fund in conjunction with World Bank has decided to prefer a solution that will make it easier for all the Beneficiaries to receive their Funds.We understood that some Fees are required in order process and transfer your funds into your account.We are also aware that most Beneficiaries do not have these required fees.

In regards to this development,We have therefore deliberated with the Bank in charge of this payment to allow Beneficiaries the privilege of receiving their Funds in two (2) or three (3) installments.In this case,beneficiaries will no longer be required to pay the fee at once but part of it depending on the number of installments such Beneficiary will like his/her Funds to be released to him/her.In view of this we advice you Write the Bank and request that you want your fund to be transferred to your account by installments payment,so that once the first payments reflects into your account you can then use money from there to facilitate the transfer of the remaining balance.

The Zenith Bank which is now in charge of your Payment has agreed to give the Beneficiaries the option of receiving their Funds in two or three installments.This will help the beneficiaries to pay part of the fee and receive part of their Funds with which such beneficiary can offset the remaining fee and receive his/her complete Funds. To break this down:Three Hundred Dollars ($300) fee will facilitate the release of five hundred thousand United States Dollars (US$5,000.000) only.
five Hundred Dollars ($500) fee will facilitate the release of One Million United States Dollars (US$1,000,000.00) only.Seven Hundred and fifty Dollars ($750) fee which is the total fee will facilitate the release of your Full payment in the sum of One Million,Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$1,500,000.00).Kindly get back to us and notify the transfer option you have chosen to pay for.

However,Feel free to inform us how much you can raise. should you or cannot afford any of the above Mentioned installment so as for us to talk to the Bank to know how much out of your Funds they could release to you with the amount you can come up with.This is the best the International Monetary Fund can do for you and you are advised to take advantage of
this opportunity.

Kindly forward your Full names/banking co-ordinates/telephone/ ID,home address to Dr Godwin Emefiele to indicate your preferred option.

Contact Person,
Dr Godwin Emefiele
Transfer Manager
Zenith Bank International

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam