419 scam: "UBA"<pro@uba.com> UBA EMAIL ALERT TO YOU.

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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
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.
- +22968398140 (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.
- wu.insp_obumnku@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- name: mr. obum nku phone: +229 68398140 email: wu.insp_obumnku@yahoo.com once received and confirmed you will receive 2 mtcn (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "UBA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wu.insp_obumnku@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 16:10:01 -0700
Subject: UBA EMAIL ALERT TO YOU.

Hello,

I am sending you this mail according to instruction from the western union section of the united bank for Africa (UBA) where i am the international relations officer.

I have been asked to notify you of your payment with our western union section of $14,000.00usd (Fourteen thousand united states dollars), this payment have been deposited for western union money transfer to you by a customer who claimed you tried helping with a contract clearance payment.

You will only have to register the payment in absentia with $271usd (Two hundred and seventy one united states dollars), the payment will be completed today once you are able to send it by western union with the details below the desk officer of the UBA western union section:

Receiver: Evarist Chibuzor Chioba
Destination: rue de 619 avoturu, Cotonou, Benin republic
Test question: Time
Test answer: Date
Amount: $271usd

All required from you is to send the western union officer the details below to commence and conclude your payment immediately:

Money transfer control number (MTCN) of the $271usd paid:
Your full names and address:
Country:
Direct contact number:
Scan copy of your identification for payout confirmation (by attachment)

You are to send this information's to the western union officer Mr. Obum Nku with the details below:

Name: Mr. obum nku
Phone: +229 68398140
Email: wu.insp_obumnku@yahoo.com

Once received and confirmed you will receive 2 MTCN payment of $7000.00usd, 3 hours after confirmation of your payment and details.

Happy Easter from UBA and ensure he is contacted from his direct email: mr.sanfajohan@yahoo.com

Sincere greetings,

Mr. Mark Lomas

PRO, United bank for Africa

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam