419 scam: "United Nations"<unitednations@un.org> Your Compensation Payment Is Ready

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "United Nations" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <united.nations.org.un13@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 13:37:36 -0000
Subject: Your Compensation Payment Is Ready

SIR/MADAM,

This is to bring to your notice that we are delegated from the UNITED NATIONS in Central Bank to pay 50 victims of scam $500,000 USD (five Hundred Thousand Dollars) each. You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the scammed victims to be paid this amount, get back to this office as soon as possible for the immediate payments of your $500,000 USD compensations funds.

My dear friend I will like you to contact the finance house for the collection of this international certificated bank draft. The name and contact address of the Person with your Cheque RASIM MOHAMED is as follows.

Send a copy of your response to official email:

SECURITY & FINANCIAL CONTACT AGENT: RASIM MOHAMED
EMAIL: specialinvestigationunit01@live

You are adviced to send your communication particulars, full names,
telephone/fax numbers,mailing address,age and occupation to enable us have your cheque send to your designated address.

Yours Faithfully,
Management

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam