419 scam: UNION BANK <fundswinning@gmail.com> $16 Million Transaction

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "certificate fee" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: UNION BANK <fundswinning@gmail.com>
Reply-To: UNION BANK <markdamion@outlook.com>
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2015 23:36:11 +0900 (JST)
Subject: $16 Million Transaction

A pleasant greetings to you and your family, i am sick and tired of this constant problem with the FBI & IRS concerning your outstanding fund release of which i have been fighting tooth and nails to make sure you receive this fund but you have been thinking that i am there to swindle you.

I told you earlier that i was suppose to travel to South Africa last MONTH for a meeting with other top Government officials but because of this transfer matter of yours, i decided to defer my trip till next week.

Right now, i will advice you to follow my last and final instructions because the bank have agreed to make the transfer today & tomorrow morning to you before 24HOURS. I made the bank to understand that you will not be able to come up with the fees they required of you due to financial problems and others. I also made them understand that you have paid scores of fees to various individuals concerning this issue, so my final conclusion with the bank was that they will make the transfer tomorrow without the clearance certificate fee.

You're only advice to secure your fund $16 Million from been tempered by the FBI/ OR IRS by obtaining a GNAB Certificate (Government Non-Assessment Bond Certificate) which will serve you as the clearance certificate but more cheaper and easier to obtain. This certificate will cost just $85 nothing more. Therefore, i will advice you to send the $85 today so i can obtain the GNAB Certificate today so you can receive your fund before 3.00P.M tomorrow. Choose the payment mode from this options; 1) by online banking transfer into your account; 2) By Atm card delivery;Let me know your choice then also try and send the $85 today. Let me know the best option you choose.

Finally, hope you know i have tried my best so far in this issue so i will advice you to compensate me with something nice as soon as you receive this fund tomorrow.

Payment instruction below to send the $85.00

Receiver's Name: ANTHONY EMEKA

COUNTRY: BENIN REPUBLIC

CITY: COTONOU

Text Question: Urgent

Text Answer: Urgent

Amount: $85.00

Please take note of this: Unknown people have been using my name and others top Government Officials in swindling most fund beneficiaries. I use this medium to inform you that any mail that do not come with our reference code: UNB/A-74/HJ/BG is swindle.

One more thing be warned and careful about the type of e-mail you reply.

I am waiting for your e-mail.

Best Regards,
Mr. Mark Damion
Internal Auditor with UNION BANK

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam