419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "western union" (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 send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "info@ubagroup-bank.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- juliana.edgar@inbox.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "State@fbi.gov" <fbi_benin_rep@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: "State@fbi.gov" <juliana.edgar@inbox.ru>
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 02:34:43 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Attention: on the behalf of Miss Juliana Edgar :
juliana.edgar@inbox.ru

OCEANIC BANK PLC
Western Union
Send Money Worldwide
Mr Onuegbu Jiaja
Address; rue 38 Johnson Sewala Street
Plot BCB Building, Cotonou, Benin

Attention: on the behalf of Miss Juliana Edgar : juliana.edgar@inbox.ru

We wish to inform you that after the general board meeting of the imf and united nations, it was agreed that all pending approved payment will be transferred to the beneficiaries respectively, this is to avoid confiscation ,we wish to inform you that your name was among the beneficiaries listed for the final payment. Be advised to stop any communication with any office(s) or person(s) to enable you receive your approved fund.

Your total sum of $2.5m will be transferred directly into your account and be advised to keep this development confidential to avoid those impostors to monitor your transfer.

So kindly reconfirm, your full names, passport copy or any kind of identification, your telephone number, your account number, swift code or iban number, your bank name and address.

Contact Mr Benjamin Edmour
Bank Name: United Bank for Africa
Email info@ubagroup-bank.com

Cash sent
within 15 minutes*
Western Union Customer Hotline
6336 2000

*Payment in minutes during hours of operation, availability of funds may differ based on the amount and origin of the transaction.

Mr Onuegbu Jiaja
Foreign Operations Manager
Western Union Benin

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam