419 scam: "HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT" <info@undp.org> ACCOUNT/TRANSACTION REMINDER

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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:
- "clearance document" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2347061953825 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT" <info@undp.org>
Reply-To: undp110@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 13:05:42 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: ACCOUNT/TRANSACTION REMINDER

FROM THE HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
PLOT 5 – 9 MAITAMA DISTRICT,
MAITAMA, ABUJA F.C.T.
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

12th Day of May, 2010.

Attn:

NOTIFICATION ON THE STATUS OF YOUR $1.1 Million USD

This is to notify you that you’re file and other Transfer Documents
is currently in my office. It is of utmost importance that I inform you
that the board of senate of the UNITED NATION POVERTY ALLEVIATION has held
a meeting regarding your funds transfer of (1.1 Million) USD from the
Central Bank of Nigeria that has not yet been completed. Be aware that
assistance has been put in place to see that your funds get to you in good
fate.

Presently the senate board has decided to waive away all your clearance
and documentation fees and has authorize the Nigeria and the US Government
to effect your payment and interests into your account without any delay.
The only fee you will pay to confirm your fund in your account is your
authorization fee for your waiver clearance document to the UN and this
will cost just $85 USD only to process and the processing duration is 3hrs
after which your funds will be ready for complete transfer to your bank
account.

This is in our bid to transparency and to ensure that beneficiaries like
you receive their benefits. So based on this am advising you to act
swiftly in this regard by getting back to me ASAP for instructions as to
how to make the $85 USD available to the UN Office here in Nigeria so that
we can have your transaction completed.

Please be informed that all arrangements regarding your transfer has been
concluded to making sure your funds gets to you, then you can make good
use of it. We apologize for all inconveniences this might have cost you as
we are committed to making sure that beneficiaries satisfactions are meet
in a coherent whole.

You can call my office any time for inquiries at (+234) 706 195 3825

Remember, if you are not comfortable making any other payment for the
completion of your funds transfer, you will have on other option than to
come down to our office to pick up your Transfer Documents in person and
go complete your transfer yourself.

You are to get back to me ASAP.

Sincerely,
Nicolas Abbey
Controller General

cc To: Central Bank of Nigeria
cc To: UN Senate Board

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam