419 scam: "United Nations Investigation Office"<info@un.com> URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED

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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:
- "million united states dollars" (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 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.
- joan.melvin2@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "United Nations Investigation Office" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <joan.melvin2@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:09:14 -0500
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED

Dear Funds Beneficiary

I am Mrs Joan Melvin by name, a United Nations senior investigation officer. The UN Director has instructed me to investigate your inheritance contract sum of $2.5 million united states dollars that you were supposed to have received on the 15th of Nov, 2011.

The affiliated paying bank is HSBC BANK and from my findings, i was convinced that your wire transfer did not get to you due to the corrupt officers at the paying bank you were dealing with.

In fact, it was revealed that you were frustrated by the top officials of the bank, at the end you gave up, and concluded the funds were not REAL.

I am here today to inform you that your funds is 100% legitimate. You did not receive your funds because you tried to claim it through the wrong channel/process. The only fee you are legally required to pay before receiving your funds is $620 Usd which is a fee required for your FINAL RELEASE ORDER before your funds could be transferred to you.

You must get back to me immediately by completing the requested information Below:

FULL NAMES: :.........
TELEPHONE NUMBER: ....
ADDRESS: ...
COPY OF IDENTIFICATION: (DRIVERS LICENSE OF INT. PASSPORT)
EMAIL ADDRESS:.........

As soon as i receive your email, I will give you instructions on how to make payment. I assure you that your funds will be transferred within the next 48 hours once you show maximum co-operation with this investigation office.You can reach me through my email contact below:

Email: joan.melvin2@aol.com

Thanks!

Mrs Joan Melvin
United Nations Investigation Office

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam