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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "UNITED NATIONS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <unsc@admin.in.th>
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:56:31 -0400
Subject: RELEASE OF YOUR PAYMENT

UNITED NATIONS
(WORLD BANK ASSISTED PROGRAMME)
DIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL
PAYMENT AND TRANSFERS.
870 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA 20-A NEW YORK NY 10017WIRE TRANSFER/AUDIT UNIT
 
Our Ref: WB/NF/UN/XX027
 
From: Capt. Spencer Williams
 
Attention: Beneficiary,
 
IRREVOCABLE RELEASE OF YOUR PAYMENT
 
We are pleased to inform you that we are United Nations Debt Reconciliation Unit newly set up by the United Nations in conjunction with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
 
Based on series of petitions we received from International Bodies such as Cooperate Bodies and Non Governmental Organization (NGO on the Inability of some Government of different countries in the World, Commercial banks and World Lottery Organization to settle their clients Contract debt, Inheritance Fund and Winning prize fund.
 
After an extensive close door meeting between the Board of Directors UNITED NATIONS, THE WORLD BANK AND INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, it was resolved and agreed upon that this body world international debt reconciliation committee will work extensively to ensure that your Contract Payment, Your Inheritance and Lottery Winning prize fund will be paid without any hitch and delay through the World Bank and IMF Insurance body.
 
You are therefore advice to send the below information to the Agent FRED MAGNUS head of review, World Debt Reconciliation: EMAIL: unsc@admin.in.th
 
1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. YOUR ADDRESS
3. YOUR PHONES AND FAX NUMBER,
TO (P.O BOX NOT ACCEPTABLE)
4. YOUR AGE AND CURRENT OCCUPATION
.
 
Note that on receipt of your complain and list of debt due for payment, Your Fund will be called back from its various point where it has been tied up by World Bank and IMF and your payment will be arranged on the follow options below;
 
a). Via ATM card payment that you can use to withdraw money in any ATM machine in any part of the world, but the maximum is Ten Thousand dollars per a day.
b). Diplomatic cash payment.
 
Thanks for your co-operation.
 
Yours Faithfully,
 
Capt. Mr. George Douglas
United Nations
 
 

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