419 scam: "MR ISRAEL MARK"<union@unionbank.org> ATTENTION:BENEFICIARY

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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "MR ISRAEL MARK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrisraelmark@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:03:42 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION:BENEFICIARY

UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC. RC: 243879
FOREIGN OPERATIONS
COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED NATION.

ATTENTION:BENEFICIARY

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and
family?,You may not understand why this mail came to you.
We have been having a meeting for the passed 7 months which
ended 4 days ago with the former secretary to the UNITED
NATIONS in person of Mr. Kofi Anan.

This email is to all the people that have been scammed in
any part of the world, the UNITED NATIONS have agreed to
compensate them with the sum of US$ 900,000,00 This includes
every foreign contractors, fraud/fund delays/interrupted
funds Payments and to also Settle foreign debts/fraud
victims/Un-paid beneficiaries to satisfactory in other to
maintain peace in the world at large that may have not
received their contract sum, and people that have had an
unfinished transaction or international businesses that
failed due to Government problems etc.

We found your name in our list and that is why we are
contacting you, this have been agreed upon and have been
signed.
You are advised to contact us the Union Bank of Nigeria
Plc, as we are having your compensation funds here in our
custody, contact us immediately for your Cheque/
International Bank Draft of USD$900,000,00 This funds are
in a Bank Draft for security purpose ok? so we will send it
to you and you can clear it in any bank of your choice.
Therefore, you should send us your full Name and telephone
number/your correct mailing address where you want him to
send the Draft to you.

We shall dispatch your check to you through the FedEx
Courier Express so the condition of delivery is as follows:

Below are the options:

Courier Express....$105 (24 hours delivery)
Courier Regular....$85 (2-3 days delivery)
Courier Economy..$68 (3-4 days delivery)

You have to make your choice and send the fee to us via
western union money transfer or Money Gram Transfer to
enable us proceed with the delivery of your package. Note
that all the necessary documentation has been sealed with
your check ready for dispatch. Use the following receiver's
Information to send the fee to us.

PAYMENT INFORMATION OFFICE
SENDERS NAME-------(YOUR NAME)
RECEIVERS NAME------MRS. ALICE ONOS
SENDERS COUNTRY-----(SENDERS COUNTRY)
RECEIVERS COUNTRY----LAGOS, NIGERIA.
TEXT QUESTION------------IN GOD?
TEXT ANSWER---------------WE TRUST.
AMOUNT TO BE PAID---------USD
MTCN NUMBER.------------(Ten digit number to be given to
you at the Western
union office).

Thanks and God bless you and your family.Hoping to hear
from you as soonest.

Making the world a better place

Regards,
Mr ISREAL MARK
MANAGING DIRECTOR
UNION BANK OF NIG PLC

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam