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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: "UNION BANK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <union-etrans@live.com>
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2011 22:29:52 -0700
Subject: Attn: Dear Valued Customer

Attn: Dear Valued Customer,
 
 
We write to bring to your
notice about your pending
payment of 5.5 Million USD.
 
 
Your pending payment is now
confirmed by the UN and authorized
for immediate wire transfer to
any Bank account you will provide
us with of which you will be given your
Bank login to access your Account.
For verifications, you are to
fill out your personal details
as requested below in the
plane form, and send back to
us quickly.
 
 
Complete Your Name:
Sex:
Date of Birth:
Country of Origin:
Current Home Address:
Job Employment:
Tel Number:
Office Number:
E-mail:
Date:
A passport or driver's license copy Attached
 
 
Immediately we have received
 
the above requested details,
verification will be carried out,
and you will be notified.
Thank you!
Signed,
John E. Norman/Payment Coordinator
                           
For Questions, please, call
 
 
John E. Norman,
Payment Coordinator
Stallion Plaza 36, Marina Lagos, Nigeria.
Email: union-etrans@live.com
  
© 2011 Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. All rights reserved.

Anti-fraud resources: