419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:
- "swift card payment center" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "card center will send you an atm card" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "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. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "atmdept@barid.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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 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.
- uba.accountant@bk.ru (Bk; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- republic atm email: atmdept@barid.com bank email: uba.accountant@bk.ru manager email:lawrence.onu2001@gmail.com telephone:+2299 93 45 (Barid; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "BARRISTER MRS .ALICE FARAH ESQ" <dhl.c18@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: "BARRISTER MRS .ALICE FARAH ESQ" <atmdept@barid.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2016 06:32:21 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Attention please The sum of $2.8million out of your over due total
sum has been approved for payment through ATM cash card system after all
attempts to pay you through bank, and diplomatic failed. The approved sum
has been programmed into the ATM cash card which will be dispatched to
you,Kindly Re-confirm these information to ATM customercare service,Full
Names, Your Address,your Phone, your ID Card . urgently Contact ATM
Department;Rev,Cypril Mark, Email: atmdept@barid.com Tel:+229 9930 4867
cou

DEAR:FRIEND
WE HERE BY NOTIFYING YOU THAT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA HAVE BEEN MANDATED TO ISSUE OUT YOUR PAYMENT OF$2,8000.00USD THROUGH ATM CARD . YOU HAVE TO STOP FURTHER COMMUNICATION WITH ANY OTHER PERSON(S) OR OFFICE(S) OR MINISTRY OF FINANCE BENIN TO AVOID HITCHES IN RECEIVING YOUR ATM CARD PAYMENT.
Â
UBA BANK MANAGER HAVE CONFIRMED AUTOMATION OF YOUR SWIFT PAYMENT THROUGH AN ELECTRONIC ATM CARD PAYMENT. THE BANK HAVE ARRANGED YOUR PAYMENT THROUGH SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTER ASIA PACIFIC THIS CARD CENTER WILL SEND YOU AN ATM CARD WHICH YOU WILL USE TO WITHDRAW YOUR MONEY IN ANY ATM MACHINE
IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD . THE MAXIMUM DAILY WITHDRAWAL IS $10,000.00USD PER DAY. A TOTAL OF $10,000.00USD AT A TIME. NOW YOU ARE TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FUND BY CONTACTING THE BANK TODAY. THIS IS A SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH MASTER CARD COMPANY USA.
Â
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SEND THIS FOLOWING INFORMATION TO THE OFFICE ENABLE THEM DELIVERY YOUR ATM CARD TO YOUR HOME ADDRESS WITHOUT DELAY ANYMORE

Your Full Name............................
Your Sex..................................
Your Age.................................
Your Country..............................
Your copy of ID cardt / driving license.......
Marital Status.......................
Your Occupation..........................
Your Personal Mobile Number....................
Your Personal Fax Number......................

KINDLY CONTACT THE BELOW PERSON WHO IS IN POSITION TO RELEASE YOUR ATM PAYMENT CARD TO YOU. YOU ARE REQUESTED TO FORWARD TO REV:LAWRENCE ONUÂ
NAME: REV: LAWRENCE ONU
THE FOREIGN PAYMENT ATM MASTER CARD DEPARTMENT MANAGER
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA BENIN REPUBLIC
ATM EMAIL: atmdept@barid.com
BANK EMAIL:Â uba.accountant@bk.ru
MANAGER EMAIL:lawrence.onu2001@gmail.com
TELEPHONE:+2299 93 45 78

NOTE THAT BECAUSE OF IMPOSTORS THE FTB HEREBY ISSUED YOU OUR CODE OF CONDUCT WHICH IS ATM-0212 SO YOU HAVE TO INDICATE THIS CODE WHEN CONTACTING REV:LAWRENCE ONU,ON THE CARD CENTER BY USING IT AS YOUR SUBJECT. KINDLY NOTIFY UBA IMMEDIATELY TO CONFIRM THE RECEIPT OF THIS MASSAGE FROM THE UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA.
BEST REGARD
BARRISTER MRS .ALICE FARAH ESQ
FROM WESTERN UNION HEAD OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam