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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "UNITED NATION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <koelnerbnkde@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 6 May 2013 01:40:39 +0200
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT IS READY

UNITED NATION FUNDS TRANSFER
KOELNER BANK COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED NATION.
 
 
 
Attention:Sir/Madam
 
 
 
Due to the petitions received by the UN, I Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon from all over the continent in regards to the fraudulent activities going on in the West Africa sub-region with security's agent and diplomats who has been delaying people's funds, consignment and valuables in their custody and demand outrageous fees to get their consignment released to them.
 
We have been having a meeting for the passed 7 months which ended 2 days ago with the former Secretary-General (Hon. Kofi Annan) to the UNITED NATIONS. However, We went to the African head quarters in the NIGERIA on the 15TH JULY 2010 and set up this committee with sole aim of settling all these anomalies and due to that we are contacting you today in that regards.
This meeting was first held on the 8th of April 2003. You can view this page for your perusal: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/ik344.doc.htm
 
 
 
This email is to all people that have been scammed in any part of the world, the UNITED NATIONS have agreed to compensate them with the sum of USD 6.500,000,00 This includes every foriegn contractors that may have not received their contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc.
 
We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you, these have been agreed upon and have been duly signed.
 
Therefore, we are happy to inform you that an arrangement has perfectly been concluded to effect your payment as soon as possible in our bid to be very transparent.
 
 
However, it is our pleasure to inform you that your fund has been approved and upgraded into an automated card (ATM).
 
The ATM Card Value is USD6.500,000.00 USD Only. You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of USD 15,000.00 is permitted daily.
 
 
 
And its is duly inter-switched and you can make withdrawal in any location of the ATM Center of your choice/nearest to you any where in the world, contact the delivery representative below for more information.
 
Be informed that your response would be by telephone or through email Only. Any further delay will be the pleasure of the UNRC to use your fund to help the people who have been displaced in Darfur, Sudan Africa which you can see it in this site www.savedarfur.org and the Tsunami's victims in Asia. So you are hereby advice to forward to this office Director ATM SWIFT CARD Department.
 
 
Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him to send the ATM to you.
 
 
 
YOU ADVISE TO CONTACT THE APPOINTED PERSON FOR THE DELIVERY BELOW
 
Person to Contact:(Dr.S. K.Williams)
Email: koelnerbnkde@yahoo.co.jp, koelnerbnk_de@hotmail.co.uk
 
 
 
We are working according to the constitution binding this committee as well as helping the less privilege through this means. You will be required to contact the above mentioned institution via telephone or email. Hoping to hear from you soon.
 
Making the world a better place
 
 
 
Regards,
Mr. Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General UNITED NATIONS)
http://www.un.org/sg/

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