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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: "UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tony_elumelu@w.cn>
Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2011 12:23:16 -0700
Subject: YOUR ATM/DEBIT CARD PAYMENT RELEASE NOTIFICATION

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC
THE GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR
UBA HOUSE, 57 MARINA STREET
LAGOS, NIGERIA


Dear Beneficiary,


YOUR ATM/DEBIT CARD PAYMENT RELEASE NOTIFICATION


This is to officially inform you about the recent agreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria to handle all their foriegn debts and contract payments. Based on this development we have verified your contract/Inheritance file and we wish to inform you that the reason why you are yet to receive your payment was due to some irregularities discovered in your payment file. The irregularities have been rectified and your contract file has been approved for immediate transfer of your contract payment this frist quater 2011
We have an approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria to transfer the sum of (=US$8,3,000.00=) being part payment of your contract sum. Your payment transfer has been programmed through our International ATM/Debit Card Payment System. The new payment regulatory mechanism was adopted by our International Credit Settlement Directorate and has been approved by the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, DR GOODLUK JONATHAnce with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) payment regulation for a hitch-free transfer of your contract fund.
BELOW IS THE PAYMENT TRANSFER ARRANGEMENT

The Payment Office will send to you an International ATM/Debit Card that you will use to make withdrawal in any ATM machine in any bank worldwide with a maximum withdrawal of (=US$10,000.00=) per day. Due to the activities of impostors you have been issued an official Pin Code number (811) which you must henceforth indicate as your reference code. You are also advised to reconfirm your Contract amount when contacting the Payment Office to avoid wrong crediting of your contract fund. The ATM/Debit Card will be forwarded to you through our Diplomatic Courier Agent as soon as you reconfirm the following information:

(a) Your full names
(b) Your valid identification
(c) Your private telephone/fax numbers
(d) Your contact address (Post office box not acceptable)

NOTE: These information will be forwarded to our ATM/Debit Card Payment Office for final accreditation. It is mandatory that all beneficiaries must apply for the International ATM/Debit Card before his/her contract payment will be released by the Payment Office. You are advised to stop further dealings with unauthorized agents and non-officials in the bank and give this office your maximum co-operation if you wish to receive your payment without further delay. Please accept the assurance of our co-operation at all times.
Awaiting your earliest response.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Tony O.Elumelu
(G.M.D/C.E.O United Bank for Africa Plc)
Chairman ValuCard Nigeria Limited

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