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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Unity Bank <unitybankplcnigeria@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 10:41:34 -0100
Subject: Transfer Reference :RWSCH0123456

The Managing Director/CEO,
Unity Bank Plc

Date: 15th November 2014

To: Most respected Beneficiary.

Dear Sir,

We are delighted to officially inform you that your outstanding payment -
US$25million placed as a Transaction Deposit in Unity Bank Plc by the
government has mature for payment to you.


You are by this notice requested to submit your bank account where you want
to receive the fund and your contact address including a working phone
number and a copy of your identification card to enable us process and
transfer the fund.

We look forward to your urgent response.

Yours sincerely,
Henry James Seminitari
Managing Director/CEO,
Unity Bank Plc,
785 HMW, CBD Abuja, FTC,
Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources: