419 scam: Huntington Bank Plc <huntingtonbnk@hotmail.co.uk> ATTENTION: Serial Number: 5368/02

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "cost of transfer" (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 cost" (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. )
- "transferred into your bank 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)
- "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)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447031842191 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Huntington Bank Plc <huntingtonbnk@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:36:53 +0000
Subject: ATTENTION: Serial Number: 5368/02

Huntington Bank Plc61 South Main StreetLondon, OH 43140-0000

ATTENTION: Serial Number: 5368/02
Welcome. Huntington Bank London is regulated and Stipulated by the Financial Service Authority (FSA), the financial institution that govern all finance activities in the United Kingdom, with our strong assets base insurance cover for all funds transfer from the United Kingdom and ten years working relationship with the EUROPEAN UNION(EU)LOTTERY BOARD, Huntington Bank London is pleased to be at your service. Your serial number has been confirmed. This means that you have been officially cleared for payment by the Verifications Department at the headquarters of the EUROPEAN UNION (E.U) LOTTERY BOARD. Your lottery funds of £250,000.00 (Two Hundred and fifty thousand Pounds) will now be transferred into your designated account. However, you are required to follow our Guidelines and Procedures. Firstly, you are required to provide the following for authentication of ownership and also for the purpose of setting up a temporary account with Huntington Bank (PREMIUM TRANSIT ACCOUNT) from where your funds will be transferred to your designated account. 1) Valid identification proof (Scanned copy of your international passport or driver's license).
2) You are to verify your home address and return alongside: Secondly, you are to make a choice from the Transfer Options laid out below.You are to make a most affordable and suitable choice. 24 Hours TRANSFER COST OF TRANSFER £200.00V.A.T £100.00Insurance £150.00Total £450.00 GB Pounds. 48 Hours TRANSFER COST OF TRANSFER £100.00V.A.T £100.00Insurance £150.00Total £350.00 GB Pounds. 72 Hours TRANSFER COST OF TRANSFER £90.00V.A.T £100.00Insurance £150.00Total £340.00 GB Pounds. NOTE: Your winnings funds is protected by THE GREAT BRITAIN HARDCOVER INSURANCE POLICY, which makes it impossible to deduct any amount from your Funds before it is been transferred into your Account. This means that the above charges cannot be deducted from your funds, hence must be provided by you before transfer of your Funds into your designated account. Be informed that your payment for the COST OF TRANSFER of your funds will be added to your funds as it is transferred to you. This is in accordance with section 13(1) (n) of the UNITED KINGDOM LOTTERY ACT as adopted in 1999 and amended on 3RD July 2005 by the constitutional assembly. This is to ensure that winners receive their funds in the exact amount of which it was won and to avoid misappropriation of funds.
Send your response to indicate your TRANSFER OPTION within the next 24 hours, and all other information required so we can provide you with the necessary information on how to make payment of your chosen Transfer Option and at the stipulated time your funds will be transferred into your bank account. Hearty Cheers!
George.A.Anderson.Transfer DepartmentTel: (+44) 7031842191

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam