419 scam: "COMPENSATION OFFICE DEPARTMENT"<info@nig.net> YOUR COMPENSATION HAS BEEN APPROVED TODAY!!

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:
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "COMPENSATION OFFICE DEPARTMENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paulfabian01@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:59:57 +0100
Subject: YOUR COMPENSATION HAS BEEN APPROVED TODAY!!

REF/PAYMENTS CODE: UN/06654/TYSD ($87,000.00 USD)

This mail serves as a listening ear to the victims of scam the world over. We have been having a meeting for the past 7 months which ended 2days ago with the secretary general of the United Nations Organization.

This message is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the world, the United Nations in conjunction with the international monetary fund and the world bank group have agreed to compensate you with the sum of $87,000. This includes all foreign contractors that may not have received their contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc.We have a database of victims and that is why we are contacting you,this has been deliberated upon and is among our set of priorities in making the world a better place.

You are advised to contact the payment officer in person of Mr Paul Fabian,as he is our representative in Nigeria,contact him immediately for your Electronic wire transfer (E.W.T)/Cheque Of US$87,000.00.This funds are to be sent to you in Cheque or through Electronic Wired Transfer for security purposes until all necessary details and instructions are followed. It will be sent to you and you can receive it with any option of your Choice.Therefore, you should send Him your Full Name, Telephone Number,Your File Reference Number (REF/PAYMENTS CODE: UN/06654/TYSD) and your Residential Address.The above is an authorization from the United Nations Organization and the International Monetary Fund.

Contact The Payment officer for your funds immediately.
Mr. Paul Fabian

Yours Faithfully,
Compensation Office Department,
United Nations Organization.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam