419 scam: "MR FRANK OBODO"<barr.philipiwunuo@gmail.com> TELEGRAPHIC NOTICE OF TRANSFER

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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.
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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (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.
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.
- +22996088825 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- remittance.dept01104@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR FRANK OBODO" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <remittance.unit101@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:41:53 +0100
Subject: TELEGRAPHIC NOTICE OF TRANSFER

FROM THE DESK OF:
MR. FRANK OBODO
DIRECTOR UNION BANK PLC.
COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC
DIRECT PHONE: 00229 96 08 88 25

OUR TRANSACTION CODE: BJ2012.

TELEGRAPHIC NOTICE OF TRANSFER

We are hereby officially notify you concerning your fund Telegraphic Transfer through our bank, Union Bank Plc, to your bank account, which has been officially approved by the management of World Bank Swiss (WBS) to credit the sum of US$10 Million into your bank account.

Note that I have started processing your payment and every thing concerning the immediate remittance of your funds will be carried out within the shortest possible time from the time we received your? Below needed information. Also be informed that the UN Secretary General (Mr. Ban-ki Moon) will sign on your payment advice and a copy of the advice will be sent to the World Bank in Swiss for some record purposes.

Meanwhile your information and your full contact details were received from our research manager, Barr. Philip Iwunuo on your behalf to ADB for immediate release of your fund. This fund was part of the lodged Late President Saddam Hussein of Iraq discovery fund with World Bank of Switzerland, which the Swiss Bank has decided to distribute it generously to help few lucky individuals and the United Nation is in agreement with the Swiss Bank to distribute the fund to 700 hundred thousand people in America, Europe & Asia in other to help improve their businesses.

Therefore, re-confirm the aforesaid information accurately, because this office cannot afford to be held liable for any wrong transfer of funds or liable of any fund credited into an unknown account. These are the information we needed to be reconfirmed by you.

1. Your Full Bank Account Details:
2. Your Direct Cell or office phone and fax to reach you:
3. Your address of locations:
4. Your full name:

Finally, you are required to reconfirm directly to me the above information to enable me use it to process your bill of payment. Your quick response shall be mostly appreciated; all your response should be directed through our alternative email address (remittance.dept01104@gmail.com) for the immediate attention of the credit control department.

Singed,

Union Bank plc.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam