419 scam: "Sceretary General Ban Ki-moon"<info@un.org> Our Ref: WB/NF/UN/XX027 (YOUR 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:
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
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.
- +2347082205726 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Sceretary General Ban Ki-moon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ubplc1@cnonline.net>
Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 03:26:52 -0800
Subject: Our Ref: WB/NF/UN/XX027 (YOUR PAYMENT IS READY)

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED
NATION.
UNITED NATIONS (UNITED NATIONS ASSISTED PROGRAMME)
DIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT AND TRANSFERS.
UNITED NATIONS LIASION OFFICE
WEST AFRICA - NIGERIA.
WIRE TRANSFER/AUDIT UNIT

Our Ref: WB/NF/UN/XX027

Attention: My Good Friend.

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family?, You may not understand
why this mail came to you. We have been having a meeting for the passed 7 months
which ended 2 days ago with the then secretary to the UNITED NATIONS. This email
is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the world, the UNITED
NATIONS have agreed to compensate them with the sum of US$500,000.00. This
includes every foreign contractors that may have not received their contract
sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international
businesses that failed due to Government problems etc. We found your name in
our list and that is why we are contacting you, this have been agreed upon and
have been signed. You are advised to contact Mr. Edward Hoffman (UNION BANK OF
NIGERIA PLC) as he is our representative in West Africa - Nigeria.

Contact him immediately for your International ATM VISA CARD of USD$500,000.00 This
funds are in ATM CARD for security purpose so he will send it to you and you
can make withdrawal from any ATM MACHINE in the World. Therefore, you should send him your
full Name and telephone number your correct mailing address where you want him
to send the ATM CARD to you. Contact Mr. Edward Hoffman (UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC)
immediately for your ATM VISA CARD:

Person to Contact: Mr. Edward Hoffman (UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC)
Email: ubplc1@cnonline.net
Phone: +234-7082205726

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your ATM VISA CARD.

Making the world a better place.

Regards,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.
http://www.un.org/sg/

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam