419 scam: "Hon Hassan. Umunnah" <umunnahassociates@yahoo.fr> Dear Marko Pantelic,

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "huge deposit" (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)
- "million 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "@lawyer.com" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22996918381 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- umunnahassociates@lawyer.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Hon Hassan. Umunnah" <umunnahassociates@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: umunnahassociates@lawyer.com
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:21:41 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Dear Marko Pantelic,

Dear Marko Pantelic,Â

I Barrister Hassan Umunnah, attorney at law to Late Mr. Michael Patel. Snr, a national of your country, who worked as former Director of Products pÃ©troliers (TOTAL BÃ‰NIN) in Benin Republic West Africa, Here in after shall be referred to as my client. His wife and their three Children were involved in a crash. All occupants unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several inquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved Unsuccessful. For your view visit the web site: http//www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13860458.

After the several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track His last name over the Internet, just to locate any member of his Family, hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in Repatriating the money left behind by my client before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank. These huge deposits were lodged particularly, with the â€œBANQUE ATLANTIQUE DU BENIN" An affiliate of Commercial Bank of Africa where the Deceased had an account valued at about $18.5 million dollars.

The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated as unclaimed Bills. I can not operate it alone without using a Foreigner as required by the deposit bank, So since I have been unsuccessful in locating their relatives for over years, now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin, since you have The same last name so that the proceeds of this account which valued at $18.5 million dollars can be transferred to the banking account you would provide, then we both can Share the money 50% / 50% ratio.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. The only way we are going to achieve this agenda is to forward me your following information as per below,

Your Full Name and Address,
Your Age,Occupation and Position,
Your Telephone Number for Communication Purpose.

I await your reply and call ASAP.

Best Regards,
Hon. Hassan Umunnah.
Tel: +229-9691-8381
Email: umunnahassociates@lawyer.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam