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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mark Mason" <markmason6131@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:24:12 -0700
Subject: grant

Citibank New York
388 Greenwich St,
New York, NY 10013, United States
1212-793-0710,1-800-950-5114,1-800-947-9100,1-855-378-6467

Sir,

Just to inform you that an official statement with reference to your Visa Platinum Debit Card has gotten the attention of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, in line with the PATRIOT Act of 2001, and as such, we have no reason to delay the configuration of the US$9,000,000.00 therein.

To that effect, we have agreed to have the US$9,000,000.00 configured into a Visa Platinum Debit Card and have it delivered to you within 72 hours as per the mandate Letter of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network under the Directives of the Department of the Treasury, thus, you are advised tio affirm your willingness and commitment to comply with this process.

Consequently, we would demand that you furnish us with your details as stated herein and make available a Promissory Letter to abide by the decision of this financial Institution.

Your Names And Address
Your Private Phone Number
Any Form of Your Identification for Authentication

Upon acknowledgement of the above, we shall proceed to have the US$9,000,000.00 Configured into the Visa Platinum Debit Card, have it Indemnified and dispatch to your designated address upon fulfillment of the Requisites which must be observed prior to the delivery.

Conclusively, the Indemnification of the Visa Platinum Debit Card in your Name with the Volume of US$9,000,000.00 is with a Cost, which will be determined upon your response in the affirmative, therefore, we demand of your response to enable us proceed.

Regards,

Mark Mason
Chief Financial Officer
Email: inquiry@citibankgroup-online.com

Anti-fraud resources: