419 scam: "Mr. Paul Ukachukwu"<officemailcnter@officemailscentral.com> URGENT LETTER, READ CAREFULLY.

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "million united states 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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- managerpaul116@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Paul Ukachukwu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <managerpaul116@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:17:03 -0700
Subject: URGENT LETTER, READ CAREFULLY.

>From the Desk Of: Mr. Paul Ukachukwu
Asset Management
Union Bank Nigeria PLC.

Dear Beneficiary,

NOTIFICATION OF CREDIT OF LAST QUARTER

Following the protest of the International Communities such as, the World Bank,
IMF and PARIS CLUB also with the President of Nigeria for all outstanding
foreign debts especially the Contract Payments that should be released to the
beneficiaries unconditionally.

Its Inheritance is with immense pleasure, that I deem necessary to inform you
about the board and management of the Union Bank Nigeria PLC, which has decided to take immediate actions to release all outstanding inheritance contract payments to the
beneficiaries whose names appeared on the central system of the bank transfer, the Approval of the payment by the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF). Contract
Number #: NG/NNPC/FMF/STB/008.

>From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Federal
Government, your name and this vital Payment information where received from
the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) Reference No.-358776021, Allocation No:
67009832 Password No: 3300987631, Pin Code No: 511174 and your Certificate of
Payment Merit No: 322, UBN Released Code No: 998; Immediate Telex confirmation
No: -1188776; Secret Code No:NNSTB013 as next on the list of the outstanding
inheritance contract payment beneficiaries who has not received their payments
yet.

However, I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be
released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the
records presented to the bank your outstanding inheritance contract payment is
amounted to the sum of USD$5Million (five million United States Dollars).
Kindly re-confirm to me the following information below:

1) Your full name#.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Residential address#.
4) Company name, Office position and Company address.
5) Profession, Age and marital
6) Working I'd / Int'l passport.
7) Are you a property owner?

As soon as this information is received, you will be told the steps to follow before the transfer of your funds will be done. Note that your payment will be made to you via
approved wire transfer into your bank account.

I will like you to send your reply and the required information above to my personal email address managerpaul116@hotmail.com.

I await your quick response.

Regards,

Mr. Paul Ukachukwu
Asset Management
Union Bank Nigeria PLC.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam