419 scam: "Mrs.Sarah Thomas"<sarah@yahoo.com> UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION UNIT,

joewein.net

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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)
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.
- +2348074968593 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- swscottwilliams9@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Sarah Thomas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <swscottwilliams9@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 20:46:25 +0200
Subject: UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION UNIT,

UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION UNIT,

                                             IN AFFILIATION WITH WORLD BANK

                                             From: Special Envoy to

                                             Secretary-General BAN KI-MOON

                                             Telephone Number:

SIR/MADAM,

This is to bring to your notice that we are delegated from the UNITED NATIONS in Central Bank to pay 50 victims from your country who has being Victims of Internet scam, The United Nations has decided to pay you $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 payment of your $500,000 USD compensation 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 in charge of your payment is Mr. Scott Williams.

Send a copy of your response to official email:

SECURITY & FINACIAL CONTACT AGENT: Mr.Scott Williams

EMAIL: swscottwilliams9@yahoo.co.jp

CELL PHONE:+234-8074-9685-93

You are advised to send your communication particulars,

Full names

Telephone

Fax numbers

Mailing Address

Age

Occupation

E-mail Address

to enable us have your payment approved, You are advised to forward this information to the above office for payment release of your compensation.

Note: You will be responsible for the delivery fee of your bank draft which is the sum of $250 USD

Yours Faithfully,

Mrs.Sarah Thomas

Secretary United Nations

West Africa

General Ban Ki-Moon.

( Financial officer )United Nations...

http://www.unorg.sg...

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam