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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: Pascal Obigwe <pascal-obigwe65@gmail.com>
Reply-To: pascal.obigwe65@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2016 03:23:50 -0700
Subject: Late Engr.Patrick's Fund.

Dear,

Greetings,

I hope this mail come across you in peace. My name is Pascal Obigwe, head of marketing department with United bank for Africa (UBA). I also happened to be personal account officer to late Engr. Patrick who works with AGIP OIL COMPANY as a contractor until he died as a result of Niger delta militants attack in oil rich state of southern Nigeria on 27th January, 2006. Engr. Patrick was kidnapped in the commercial city of River state and was confirmed death by the militant group through the massage and his picture they sent via internet after two week of his abduction.

Two months ago, my bank where he has a fix deposit of $660,000.00 requested me (as his account officer) to provide any member of his family so that his deposit will remit to his family member’s account as the next of kin. I have made several inquiries to locate any of his relatives regarding the long overdue fixed deposit but all proved unsuccessful. So i decided to trace his last name through the Internet hence I found you.

As a devoted Christian, I promised my God that I will do my best in making sure that the money goes to his family members, since the banking law authorize relations to receive their inheritance after ten years of deceased, otherwise the bank will divert the money to their treasure chest if the beneficiary failed to show up.

Do accept my sympathy as you contact me immediately for the assistance.


Sincerely,

Pascal F.Obigwe

Head Marketing Department
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA

Anti-fraud resources: