419 scam: "Alexander Wilmot-Sitwell"<postmaster@localhost.com> Greetings From Bank UBS AG Zurich.

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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:

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:
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Alexander Wilmot-Sitwell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lexprivate@ciudad.com.ar>
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2012 23:21:45 -0700
Subject: Greetings From Bank UBS AG Zurich.

Greetings From Bank UBS AG Zurich,

I am aware that this is an unconventional way of relaying an important message such as this. I did try without success to locate both your contact address or phone/fax number and as such, I resorted in contacting you via email. I am Alexander Wilmot-Sitwell an investment consultant working with Bank UBS AG Zurich presently at their offshore department.

During one of our periodic auditing I discovered a dormant accounts with holding balances of US$155,000.000.00 {One Hundred And fifty five million United State Dollars only} It has happened in the past, however, that customers pass away and their heirs can neither prove the death, nor their heir ship.

If you believe you have claim to a Swiss bank account for which the holder (e.g. an ancestor) has not been in contact with the bank for over ten years, there is a fairly simple procedure to follow, depending on the date the account was opened. website; www.crt-ii.org/2001_list/publication_list1_A.phtm
If you know that you are capable to handle large or small amount on trust and can keep secret and ready to take 40% of any amount I transfer to your account from the dormant accounts and I will take 60%, then get back to me immediately with your details.

Send also your private mobile phone number where I can reach you now.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Warmest regards,

Alexander Wilmot-Sitwell.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam