419 scam: "unitedbank"<unitedbank@united.com> Dear 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:
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "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.
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.
- +22968217873 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "unitedbank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wwwunitted.bank@yandex.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 00:11:47 +0100
Subject: Dear Beneficiary

United Bank of Africa
Cotonou-Republic of Benin
P.O Box, 214,Tunde Motor
Telephone: +229 68217873

Dear Beneficiary,

Our office has just concluded the identification of victims of internet scam. We have other list for compensation of people who lost their money in various scams in batches. In batch (K) category listed for settlement by the world bank,your settlement will be done through our office here in Africa.This is the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes.Our Mission is to Take Bold Steps, Accept 'Smart Risks' to Help End Poverty in a Generation.Kindly send your prefer to receive your winning fund ($1.500.000.00USD) in form of ATM VISA CARD.We need your credentials which include

Your Full Name:
Country/Your Address:
Occupation:
Contact Home/Cell Phone:
Age/Sex:
Your email address:

Dr.,Udo David
Bank Manager

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam