Remove “World Bank Empowerment Programme” email

The “World Bank Empowerment Programme” email is a classic scam email that claims recipients are eligible to receive $255,000 from the World Bank Empowerment Programme because their email addresses have been chosen randomly. An automatic computer ballot system has supposedly picked the recipients as the beneficiaries of the money. According to the email, to receive the money, users need to contact the accredited paying bank, whose information is provided in the email. The email’s contents are false, and the purpose of this scam is to trick users into revealing their personal information. As long as users do not interact with the email, it’s not dangerous.

 

 

The “World Bank Empowerment Programme” email scam is a typical example of a type of scams that claim users have won or inherited substantial sums of money. One of the most infamous types of these scams is the “Nigerian Prince” email, which claims that a Nigerian royal needs assistance in transferring money out of the country and has selected the recipient for this task. In this case, the “World Bank Empowerment Programme” email claims that your email address has been randomly selected from various discussion groups, social media, guest books, and search engines to receive $255,000.

The email assigns you a reference number and instructs you to contact the accredited paying bank using the provided information. According to the email, you have 14 days to contact the bank and initiate the process. Generally, these scams aim to obtain users’ personal information, and some might even attempt to steal their money. Thus, if you were to use the information in the email to contact the supposed bank, you would be asked to provide extensive personal information. If someone interacts with the email and provides their personal details, the scammer will typically respond with requests for even more sensitive information. Eventually, they will likely ask for banking information under the guise of sending funds. They may also try to steal credit card details.

Personal information such as full names, home addresses, and phone numbers is highly valued among cybercriminals. This stolen data can be exploited to execute more sophisticated scams, as victims are often more susceptible when scammers contact them knowing their personal information. If they request credit or payment card information, victims may find their accounts used for unauthorised transactions.

With emails like the “World Bank Empowerment Programme” email, it’s essential to remember the saying: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. These emails are always scams, with no exceptions. They often lack any authentic characteristics and are likely aimed at older individuals who may be less aware of such scams.

The full “World Bank Empowerment Programme” email is below:

Subject: Your e-mail address has won $255,000.00

The World Bank
New York Regional Office
1 Dag Hammarskjold plaza, 885 2nd Avenue,
26th floor, New York,
NY 10017, United States

Dear e-mail user,

Your e-mail address has merited you a lump sum of US$255,000.00 in the on-going year 2025 / 2026 World Bank Empowerment Programme. This year’s programme has been designed to give out lump sum to individuals, companies and corporate bodies. E-mail addresses listed on the Internet were picked at random from different discussion groups, social media, guest-book and search engine for final selection and grants.

We are happy to announce to you that your e-mail address attached to Reference number: 12457851245212; Serial number: 24512-235665 and Batch number: WB142/24120KYT has been picked by automated computer ballot system which qualified you one of the beneficiaries for the sum of US$255,000.00 from the World bank. To claim your grant simply contact the accredited paying bank –

First Citizens Bank
239 Fayetteville Street Raleigh NC 27601 USA
Payment Accounts Officer: Mr. Peter M. Bristow Jr.
E-mail: firstcitizensbanknorthcarolina@usa.com

Kindly e-mail the Payment Accounts Officer Peter M. Bristow Jr. immediately and remember to quote your Reference number, Serial number and Batch number to enable him identify your claim and attend to you quickly.

NOTE: This programme is valid for 14 days and failure to forward claims before the expiration of this period will automatically void your grant.

Congratulations from all our staff.

Yours faithfully,

James Watson
New York Regional Coordinator
World Bank Empowerment Programme

How did scammers get your email address?

If users are receiving scams, spam, or malicious emails, it’s often because their email addresses have been leaked or stolen in a data breach. Users can visit HaveIBeenPwned to see if their email address has been involved in a data breach. It’s also important to remember that, along with email addresses, various types of personal information can be exposed. While there’s not much that can be done if this information has already been revealed, users can be more cautious when dealing with unusual emails, phone calls, and similar communications.