419 scam: Thomas Badmus <office6@ubagroupsltd.onmicrosoft.com> I REALLY NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU.

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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.

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
- "million us 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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Thomas Badmus <office6@ubagroupsltd.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <thomas.badmus101@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:01:33 -0300
Subject: I REALLY NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU.

MR.THOMAS BADMUS (Msc, MBA, FCA)
Senior Controller, Customers Service.
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC, RC 103022.
13, Marina Lagos.
Nigeria .

Dear Sir/Madam,

On the 5th of January 2009 a gang of militants from the Niger Delta in Bayelsa state attacked and bombed oil refineries/ fields located on the Creeks of that region killing four (4) expatriate staff and 10 local staff of the company including Engr. (Wilbert) who was a customer with my above mentioned Bank (United Bank for Africa Plc.) .Consequently I was mandated by the Management of my bank as his account service controller to help locate any of his close relation to Claim the money he deposited with the bank.

Engr. Wilbert has in his account with United Bank for Africa plc before his sudden death the total sum of Nine million six hundred and thirteen thousand united states dollar ($9.613 million USA dollars) among other personal effects, including a life assurance policy worth $2.8 million insured with American International Insurance Company's African regional office in Nigeria (AIICO). As a matter of fact i have tried every human efforts to locate any of his close relatives which proved abortive all because he did not reside here in Nigeria with any of his immediate family being a contractual staff with shell petroleum development company (SPDC) except his dog called foster.

Therefore, having been unsuccessful in locating any of his close relatives this past years mostly as his 4 ( four) years contract is due and has expired, I have decided to contact you to assist in Repatriating the money and properties of which he left behind before they get confiscated or declared Unserviceable by the bank and the insurance.

I seek your consent and cooperation to present you as the next of kin to the deceased, over the Proceeds of this account valued at ($9.613 million US Dollars) to be paid to you and then you and I can share the money in the ratio of 48% to me and 47% to you, while the balance 5% will be set aside for any contingency expenses we may encounter in course of this transaction.

An attorney will be contracted to assist us in revalidating and also to notarize all necessary legal documents of which will be used to back up our claims. All I need of you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this project a huge success.

I guarantee you that this project will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and me from any breach of the law. I will appreciate some measure of confidentiality until we finish the project, because of my position in the bank.

Yours Sincerely,

Thomas Badmus.

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