419 scam: "UNITED NATIONS" <info@unitednations.org> Attention: Your Payment Notice

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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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "UNITED NATIONS" <info@unitednations.org>
Reply-To: peter_joseph@9.cn
Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 16:10:16 +0900 (KST)
Subject: Attention: Your Payment Notice

UNITED NATIONS ASSISTED PROGRAMME
DIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT AND
TRANSFERS. UNITED NATIONS LIASION OFFICE
INDIA.

Re: Issuance of your VISA Prepaid Card Valued $10,700,000.00 USD

We have been having meetings for some weeks now in favour of all
beneficiaries around the world that are yet to get paid for one reason or
another as a result of Government problems. My assignment is to contact
the effected beneficiaries and remit their payments to them accordingly.

However, it might interest you to know that these funds emanated from
Accrued interest of your long outstanding Contract fund in the Central
Clearing Account with the Government of India.

In line with this consequential order, I wish to inform you that your VISA
Prepaid Card valued ($10,700,000 USD) have been finally upgraded for
onward dispatch to you in line with the Mandatory final vetting and
validation process carried out having established the conformity of your
claims by our Card Payment Verification Unit. I have all your details for
safe delivery of your CARD. Kindly forward copy of your ID, International
Passport or Driver's license for reference and identification purposes.

At this juncture, all modalities are in place to dispatch your card to you
via our Accredited Courier Company. Your total approved sum is already
inter-switch into a Prepaid Card under our Card Indemnity Cover in
partnership with VISA INTERNATIONAL to avoid any security risk, as to
ensure that you receive your CARD in good condition without any financial
misconduct.

Meanwhile you are to acknowledge receipt of this important message by
forwarding your ID, Direct Phone/Mobile # urgently so as to confirm that
your name is correct/complete as printed on the CARD as the rightful
beneficiary. You will be availed with your 4 Digits Activation PIN as soon
as your CARD is delivered to you. Please make sure that your receiving
address is confirmed to avoid wrong delivery. Please should you have any
questions, don't hesitate to
contact me on my direct telephone number for stated as quote for voice
contact/further clarifications.

I will be waiting for your urgent response

Yours faithfully,
Peter Joseph.
UNITED NATIONS ASSISTED PROGRAMME
DIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT AND
TRANSFER UNITED NATIONS LIASION OFFICE
INDIA.
TELEPHONE: +918860405986.
EMAIL: peter_joseph@9.cn

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam