419 scam: "Mr. Thomas Bradley" <information@t.cn> UNITED NATIONS OFFICE

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 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.
- mrthomas.bradley@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Thomas Bradley" <information@t.cn>
Reply-To: mrthomas_bradley@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 01 May 2012 08:47:16 +1000
Subject: UNITED NATIONS OFFICE

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE
FOR THE COORDINATION OF
HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS.
Our Ref: UNO/SNT/RAL/1534098

In line with the United Nations millennium development goal to
eradicate poverty and hunger by the year 2015. I am directed to
inform you that your payment verification and confirmation is
completed, therefore we are happy to inform you that
arrangements have been concluded to effect your payment
as soon as possible in our bid for transparency.

It is my pleasure to inform you that ATM Card Number:
5428050011004432 have been approved in your favour, The ATM
Card value is $500,000.00 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US
DOLLARS).

You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of $5,000.00
is permitted daily and this is ably supported by Inter Switch so
you can make withdrawal at any location or ATM Center of your
choice.

Kindly be informed that you are to provide a delivery fee of Â£95.00
GBP for the delivery of your package to you and be informed that
the delivery will be made to your address within 48 hours (2 days)
after the confirmation of your payment of the delivery cost. The
delivery fee receipt will be attached to the delivery documents
to avoid being delayed by Customs.

To file for your claim, you are requested to contact the events
Manager/Claims Department,send your winning Identification
Numbers and the following information.

These are your identification numbers:

Reff number: UNDP/HUM/003/2011
Batch number: UNHM/UK/9768/789
Full Name:
Contact Address:
Phone Number:
Age:
Sex:
Occupation:
Country:

You are advised to send your details below via his e-mail address :

EMAIL: mrthomas.bradley@yahoo.com.hk

Thank you and accept my hearty Congratulations once again!

Yours faithfully,
Mr. Thomas Bradley
Under-Secretary-General:
Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

Copyright Â© 1996-2012 United Nations Development program
Inc.
All rights reserved. Terms of Service - Guideline

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam