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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
  • "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.
  • +22993793877 (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.
  • info_unionbankgroupofserviceorg@yahoo.fr
  • 3ainfo_unionbankgroupofserviceorg@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "CHRIS OBI" <cobi7@ig.com.br>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:17:26 +0100
Subject: CONTACT THE UNION BANK IMMEDIATELY YOU RECIEVED THIS EMAIL


*Hello Friend*

*Its my pleasure to inform you that i have verified from the bank
director regarding the transfer of your fund and it was good news
because the requested fee was less expessive for you and your
consignment containing your fund($850.000.00) I have deposited it with
the UNION BANK BANK PLC . so that your fund will be wired to your
account immediately you contact the bank director with your full bank
details.*

*However i went to UNION BANK to discuss this matter with the bank
director to why your fund has not been delivered to you However he
told me that your fund can be transfered to you via a direct wire
transfer(KTT) into your account.He told me to instruct you to contact
the bank to apply for a direct wire transfer into your account to
avoid loosing your fund due to delay.*

*Therefore contact the bank with below information, send to them your
banking information.*

*UNION BANK OF AFRICAN PLC
20/22 HOSPITAL ROUTE
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC*

*Email:info_unionbankgroupofserviceorg@yahoo.fr<Email%3Ainfo_unionbankgroupofserviceorg@yahoo.fr>
Telephone +229 93-79-38-77
UNION BANK PLC FOREIGN OPERATION DIRECTOR.
DR REV.RICHARD LARRY*

*Send your email to the bank with the above bank email and apply for
your wire transfer as i have informed the bank about you already.On
receipt of your fund into your account endeavour to inform me
immediately you receive your fund in your account. the director told
me that the only fee you are to pay is $175 usd for the opening of new
international account here in there bank that will be use to transfer
the fund to your destinated account in your country and it will also
serve as the bank transfer charges.*

*Thanks Remain Bless
Scretary CHris Obi.*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam