419 scam: United =?iso-8859-1?b?TmF0aW9uc64=?= <info@un.com> (no subject)

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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:
- "consignment " (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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
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.
- mrmarkmitchinson@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: United =?iso-8859-1?b?TmF0aW9uc64=?= <info@un.com>
Reply-To: mrmarkmitchinson@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:10:29 -0500
Subject:

Hello Dear,

I am Dr. Mrs. Cherry Bill,, the Director of International Remittance
Department, United Nations (UN). You have been chosen as the
beneficiary of the aforementioned on-line international inheritance
claim department, as this years inheritance grant beneficiary, your
E-mail was luckily drawn to be this year's grant inheritance claim of
a Brand New 2011 Bra bus E V12 Mercedes car; Car Invoice: $250,000 USD
and cash prize of One Million Great British Pounds (£1,000.000.00 GBP)
this was conceived with the objective of Human Growth, Educational and
Community development, these funds is given out for the use of your
business educational and personal development, and at last 30% to be
used by you to develop a part of your environment, as this is a yearly
program, which is a measure of universal development strategy, and
eradication of poverty,

The money has been packaged as a safe consignment under special
diplomatic order and will be transferred to you in your home country,
the Diplomatic agent in charge of international transfer is called Mr
Mark Mitchinson, he will transfer the said inheritance to you and will
assist you in all banking formalities, this transaction must be
handled in a very discreet and confidential way to negate any
misunderstanding and future stress, this transaction will be legally
binding on both sides and the involvement of any third party is
strictly prohibited, all legal documents concerning this transaction
will run in your name as directed and permitted by the chair personnel
of the International Remittance Department, Count Security Company.

The Diplomatic agent Mr Mark Mitchinson will be in your country in
the next two days and will meet you for further planification, you are
advised that Mr Mark Mitchinsonn is a sincere and trust worthy
personality so it will be reasonable and logical for you to cooperate
with him fully, kindly be aware that the Diplomatic agent Mr Mark
Mitchinson do not know you in person or your curriculum Vitae, you are
therefore required to send your curriculum Vitae along with your
Facial means of Identification on your contact with him, facial means
of Identification should contain one of these options, Drivers License
or International Passport, Occupation, All Contact Address, Phone
Number(s), Country, Company Name, to enable our us prepare all
documents needed for the handing over of your inheritance.

Send the requested information to the below E-mail address so that
we can proceed. Once more congratulations for your inheritance and we
are looking forward hearing from you in good faith.

Full Name: Mr Mark Mitchinson
Email: mrmarkmitchinson@yahoo.co.uk

Dr. Mrs. Cherry Bill,
Director of International Remittance Department.
Copyright © 2012 United Nations (UN). All rights reserved®

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam