419 scam: "UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIR." <frankdubem@gmail.com> UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIR.

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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:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (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. )
- "atmcardcenter01@ovi.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIR." <frankdubem@gmail.com>
Reply-To: atmcardcenter01@ovi.com
Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:21:03 +0800 (CST)
Subject: UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIR.

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION
OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIR.

Good Day,

I am directed to inform you that your payment verification and confirmations are correct, therefore we are happy to inform you that arrangements have been concluded to effect your payment as soon as possible Due to your long over-due payment which you have been finding it difficult to receive via a Certified Bank Draft issued by the UN Promo, we have arranged your payment through OCEANIC Bank ATM Card Payment Center, this is an instruction passed by the United Nations in respect to all over delayed payment and debt re-scheduling.

We will send you an International Swift ATM Card that has been approved in your favour with Card Number: 5221236454000080, with valued sum of $1.600,000 USD (ONE Million And six Hundred Thousand USD Only), which you are to use in accessing your fund in any ATM Stand/location worldwide and remember that the maximum withdrawal daily limit is Five Thousand United States Dollars (US$5,000.00). We have concluded delivery arrangement with the TNT courier services. Please note that the TNT Courier Company is fully insured by Nicon Insurance Corporation.

Kindly provide the details below for delivery.

1. Valid Delivery Address.................
2. Full Names.............................
3. Phone Number...........................
4. Other Email............................
5. Occupation.............................
6. Country................................
7. Date of birth..........................

Please do confirm that you will take responsibility for the cost of delivery ($ 150), so that i will know how to proceed with you. Please be informed that the delivery will be made to your address in 48 hours (2 days) after our confirmation of this payment for delivery, as you know that the delivery fee receipt will be also attached on your payment delivery documents to avoid your package being delayed by customs.

Here is the information were to send the $150 via western union money transfer.
Receiver Name.: ............. EZEOBI HENRY
Country.:................ Republic Of Benin
City........................ Cotonou
Test Question................Bank
Answer.................. ATM
Amount...............US$ 150.00usd
MTCN..............?
Sender's Name................?
Thanks

Treat urgently and note that your ATM Card is ready and available for dispatch to you and contact us via (atmcardcenter01@ovi.com)Regards,
Dr. Bryan Ellis.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam