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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic delivery"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "affidavit of claim" (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 ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +2348060338162 (Nigeria, 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.
  • andrewubani@africamail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • 3aandrewubani@africamail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "unionbank businesslink4" <unionbankbusinesslink4@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2008 03:53:54 +0200
Subject: PLEASE STAND AS NEXT OF KIN.


FROM THE DESK OF MR.ANDREW UBANI
ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT
UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC.

BENEFICIARY PAYMENT.

Dear Sir/madam,

I am Mr. Andrew Ubani chief corporate officer in the auditing and
accounting department of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc .The mentioned bank is
known for the safekeeping of special and valuable packages and baggage in
trust for reputable clients that are honest and trustworthy. We work in
collaboration with top firms and Governments of various countries as we have
earned a name as a service whose hallmarks in reliability and
confidentiality are revered.International missions and Embassies of the
world have used our services to satisfaction.

A benefactor whose identity cannot be disclosed because of the Non
Circumvention and Non Disclosure Agreement that was signed with the said
benefactor Late Mr.Glen.JENSEN, when the funds were being deposited in
Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, made us to know that his next of kin will be the
beneficiary to the $11.5 million dollars Deposit and stated clearly that
they should only be contacted when the time signed for it to be in our care
elapses, unfortunately,nobody relating to him has come to make claims as the
next of kin, and the time has already elapsed that is why you are being
contacted.

The Non Circumvention and Non Disclosure Agreement signed with the
benefactor mandates us to fully divulge and disclose the benefactor's
identity 18 months after you, the beneficiary has received the funds.

The funds totals $18,500,000 (Eighteen Million Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars). I want to assure you that this fund is fully free of any liens, or
encumbrances and are clean, clear and non-criminal origin and are available
in the form of CASH.

My proposal is that after you receive the funds, it would be shared as
follows: 15% to you as commission for your co-operation and assistance in
facilitating the transfer, while the remaining 85% belongs to me and my
colleagueS. You will be free to take out your commission immediately after
the money hits your account in your country. Since our objective is to
invest the money in a foreign country, it would be appreciated if you could
also help us with advices and direction on investing into profitable
ventures in your country. However, this is optional, and if it is not
convenient for you to further assist us with investing the money, we can end
our cooperation after you make available to me our part of the money.
The process is not complicated and we can get the money within 21 days if we
start. Please if this proposal is acceptable by you, kindly send me an
e-mail signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone
numbers for quick communication also your home address where the fund would
be delivered.

You are hereby advised to reconfirm your Full Contact Information for
verification with the information contained in our database as well as other
relevant information in the format stated below. I want to inform you
clearly here that you must procure an affidavit of claim of ownership which
may be needed by your local bank once you have access to the fund.

All documentations of proof of the origin of the fund would be made
available to you once your information is confirmed in order to exonerate
you from any form of investigations or interrogation and to authenticate the
fact that the funds are clean and has no links whatsoever with either drugs
or terrorism.

The Requested Information is to ensure that no mistake or error is made and
it should be forwarded in the manner stated below:-

Your Full Name:
Your Complete Address:
Name of City of Residence:
Name of Closest Airport to City of Residence:
Telephone Number:
Mobile Number:
Fax Number:
Age :
Account Number:

PAYMENT CHOICE: WIRE TRANSFER INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT,DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY
?:PLEASE INDICATE:

Finally your age and sex are very important too ,please note this.The
Contact Numbers are very necessary because the number would be called before
payment. So, it is mandatory you send your Direct Telephone Number
preferably your Mobile or Cell Phone Number.

Complete the above and send back as soon as possible through my private
email address(andrewubani@africamail.com)

Thanks For Your Cooperation.

YOURS SINCERELY,
MR Andrew Ubani
Tel: +234-806-033-8162
Email:andrewubani@africamail.com <Email%3Aandrewubani@africamail.com>
UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam