419 scam: "zanith bank plc"<admin@avg.com> (BANKING UPDATE) YOUR PENDING FUNDS REQUIRE URGENT ATTENTION

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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "zanith bank plc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <international_customer@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 25 May 2015 08:32:44 -0300
Subject: (BANKING UPDATE) YOUR PENDING FUNDS REQUIRE URGENT ATTENTION

DEAR: BENEFICIARY.

THE BANK WANT TO NOTIFY YOU THAT YOU’RE INHERITANCE FUNDS HAS BEEN
GAZETTE
TO BE RELEASED, BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE FOR FOREIGN OVER DUE FUND
TRANSFER. MEANWHILE, A WOMAN CAME TO MY OFFICE FEW DAYS AGO WITH A
LETTER, CLAIMING TO BE YOUR TRUE REPRESENTATIVE.

THIS IS THE INFORMATION FOR YOU TO CONFIRM TO THIS OFFICE IF THIS
WOMAN IS TRULY FROM YOU OR NOT AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE HELD
RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING INTO THE WRONG ACCOUNT.

NAME: MRS. SHARON GRAY.
BANK NAME: WELLS FARGO BANK
BANK ADDRESS: CALIFORNIA,
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 7603809401.

YOU
ARE ADVICE TO RECONFIRM TO THIS OFFICE, AS A MATTER OF URGENCY IF THIS
WOMAN IS FROM YOU. YOU ARE REQUESTED TO FILL AND SEND THIS
INFORMATION FOR VERIFICATION PURPOSES SO THAT YOUR FUND WILL BE
REMITTED INTO YOUR NOMINATED BANK ACCOUNT. THIS FUND IS AS A RESULT OF
INHERITANCE FUND ON YOUR BEHALF.

INFORMATION NEEDED FROM YOU FOR VERIFICATION IS AS FOLLOWS,

1. YOUR NAME:
2. YOUR ADDRESS:
3. COUNTRY
4. YOUR STATE
5. YOUR CITY
6. SEX:
7: TEL PHONE NUMBER
8: YOUR OCCUPATION

HOWEVER,YOU CAN EQUALLY RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT BY CHOSEN FROM THE BELLOW
OPTIONS;

1)INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT, SEND YOUR MAILING ADDRESS

2) ATM INTERNATIONAL CREDIT CARD, SEND YOUR FULL ADDRESS.

AS SOON AS WE RECEIVE THIS, WE WILL COMMENCE WITH ALL NECESSARY
PROCEDURE IN OTHER TO REMIT THIS MONEY INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.
THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY, THE SENATE COMMITTEE FOR INHERITANCE FUND HAVE APPROVED AND ACCREDITED THIS REPUTABLE BANK WITH THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR,

WE
SHALL PROCEED TO ISSUE ALL PAYMENTS DETAILS TO THE SAID MRS. SHARON GRAY, IF
WE DO NOT HEAR FROM YOU WITHIN THE NEXT SEVEN WORKING DAYS FROM TODAY.

WE ARE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE IN DELAYING YOUR TRANSFER FUND; IT WAS DUE TO OUR BUSY SCHEDULE IN PAYING OTHER BENEFICIARIES WHOM THEIR FILES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED FOR PAYMENT.

CONTACT THIS OFFICE IMMEDIATELY WITH THIS EMAIL ADDRESS TO
ENABLE US PRECEDE.

BEST REGARDS,

MANAGER ZENITH BANK PLC

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam