419 scam: "Bank Of America"<bnkofamerica20155@hotmail.com> Important Update From Bank Of America About Your Fund

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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.
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. )
- "money gram" (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 of your funds" (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 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.
- bnkofamerica20155@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Bank Of America" (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:21:42 -0500
Subject: Important Update From Bank Of America About Your Fund

Bank Of America
www.bankofamerica.com

Good morning,

This is to inform you that the USA Embassy in Lagos is now standing as your guarantor for you and have paid all the fee for the release of your lottery funds in a golden metal box valued $4,306,515. We have received an authorization letter from Bank Of America Zonal Headquarters NY to pay you a complimentary sum of $4,306,515 (Four Million, three hundred and six thousand, five hundred and fifteen United States Dollars only) which is your rightful long over due lottery winning payment.

You are required to provide your account information and a transfer fee of $75 USD only for the onward transfer of your funds. Send the $75 to the USA Embassy in Lagos via MONEY GRAM or WESTERN UNION as the USA Embassy in Lagos is standing as a guarantor for you to ensure that you receive your long over due lottery payment without further delay.

Receiver's Name: Melikan Obiedo
Address: Lagos, Nigeria
Test Question: Happy
Answer: Season
Amount: $75

Send the payment info to me as soon as you make the payment and forward a copy to the USA Embassy in Lagos email: (bnkofamerica20155@hotmail.com ) for immediate confirmation.

NOTE: We urge you to treat this matter as urgent as your funds will be marked as unclaimed and maybe forfeited if we do not hear from you in next 48hours. You can reach me on Phone: +1 704-802-5177, text me or leave a voice-mail if I do not answer and I will call you back.
I await your prompt response.

Your faithfully,

Mr. Fernando Nunez
Branch Manager
Phone: +1 704-802-5177
Email: bnkofamerica20155@hotmail.com
( Bank Of America MD )

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam