Recently, there have been numerous reports of emails sent with fake identities, citing the Bank's name, attempting to trick recipients into sending monies. This is a variation of a scam known as the Nigerian 419 scam. The typical scenario is illustrated as follows:

• An individual receives an email from an unknown sender who claimed that the sender had received a substantial inheritance from her late husband. She needed help to access the inheritance due to her failing health (or some other reasons).
• The recipient is promised a reward for helping to obtain the inheritance.
• If the recipient is enticed by the reward and replies, an email from a "UOB Bank Officer" will quickly follow, advising the recipient to provide their personal information and an account opening deposit.
• After the recipient sends the monies, a fake online banking account is created to fool the recipient.
• The scammers are never heard from again afterwards and the monies are unrecoverable.

Click here to view a sample Scam Email

"There is no free lunch". It is highly unlikely that someone you do not know, would give you a large reward for helping them do a simple task.

How do you avoid becoming a victim?
To prevent becoming a victim of such scams, here are a few scam-spotting tips:

	Always be suspicious of emails from someone unknown to you; especially when they promise you a large reward in return for helping them do a simple task.
	Getting something for nothing is highly unlikely. Be suspicious of every email you receive that offers "free" wealth.
	Most scam emails contain bad grammar, misspellings and/or worded in ALL CAPS (though some are increasingly well written).
	Scammers often use real company names as well as create official looking fake websites.
	The initial email proposal contains an unlikely situation. For instance: overpaid millions on a contract, royal money or assets frozen by a foreign government, an inheritance, or money, gold or diamonds that need to be transferred immediately or be lost forever.
	Such scams might be double-edged. Even if the scammers are unable to obtain your money, they may still obtain your personal information.

The old saying goes, "if it seems too good to be true, it usually is" has never been more relevant.

If in doubt, always check with the Bank directly

Sample Scam Email:

From: Mrs Rose Ashley Jones <XXXXXXXXX> Date: Mon, August 8, 2010 2:30:14 AM Subject: Note Dear Beloved, I am Rose Ashley Jones, a devoted christian.I have a foundation/Estate uncompleted {whorth the sum of 6,143,728.00 Dollars} and I need somebody to help me finish it because of my health,Please contact me for more details. Contact Email:XXXX Thanks