419 scam: "MS.VIVIAN"<example@domain.com> FROM MS. VIVIAN

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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:
- "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)
- "abuja" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "MS.VIVIAN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <msvivianegobata10@mail.com>
Date: Tue, 20 May 2014 00:07:27 +0300
Subject: FROM MS. VIVIAN

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY
WUSE- ABUJA
Your ref ::::::::;ABJPAYMENTCLEARANCE.
Our ref :::::::::;ABJ/2012/PMT/2014

Dear Contractor,
You received this email from this office because your files appeared on my desk few days ago Through I.M.F office that you are among the new people approved for half of their part payment of $8million united states dollars. Signed by the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria On behalf of Mr. President.
I need your below information, to re-confirm with the details we have here in our file, for urgent release of your unpaid fund.
1) Your full name and address
2) Phones, fax and mobile #.
3) Company's name, position and address.
4) Profession, sex, age and marital status.
5) Working I’d/Int'l passport. copy
6) Beneficiary Name.
Regards
Yours in service
Ms. Vivian Egobata
Special Adviser to Vice President on contract Matters

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam