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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Union Bank Nigeria Plc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nionbnk.ng.plc@live.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2010 20:57:29 +0100
Subject: Re: Dear Valued Customer

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc
Off Stallion Plaza
36 Marina Lagos, Nigeria.
 
 
Dear Esteemed Customer,
 
We are obliged to
bring to your notice
once again, about your
pending payment of
$5.5 Million USD in
the IMF Offshore account
with our Bank.
 
Your fund is now
confirmed with the UN
and IMF organization,
and your payment is now
ready. You are kindly
advised to contact us
back with your full
information for final
verification.
 
Your Name:
Sex:
Date of Birth:
Country of origin:
Current Home Address:
Job Employment:
Tel Number:
Office Number:
E-mail:
Date:
A passport or driver's license copy Attached
 
Signed,
John E. Norman,
Executive Payment
Coordinator.
Email unionbnk.ng.plc@live.com

Anti-fraud resources: