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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 Nations" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <unitednationscouncil@superposta.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:27:05 +1200
Subject: Our Ref: WB/NF/UN/KB027: Your Payment Is Ready

UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE KOELNER BANK.
UNITED NATIONS (UNITED NATIONS ASSISTED PROGRAMME)
DIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT AND TRANSFERS.
UNITED NATIONS LIAISON OFFICE
WIRE TRANSFER/AUDIT UNIT
Our Ref: WB/NF/UN/KB027
Attention: My Good Friend,
 
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family?, You may not understand why this mail came to you. We have been having a meeting for the passed 7 months which ended 2 days ago.. This email is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the world,and people that have been affected by war and disaster, the UNITED NATIONS have agreed to compensate them with the sum of US$750,000.00(Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand) by ATM card. This also includes every foreign 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, this have been agreed upon and have been signed.Therefore,we are happy to inform you that an arrangement has been perfectly concluded to release your ATM card payment to you as soon as possible in our bid to be transparent and making the world a better place.The ATM Card Value is $750
 
We have also concluded delivery arrangement with our accredited courier service company to oversee the delivery of the ATM Card to you without any further delay.Therefore,you are hereby advised to contact the Director, ATM SWIFT CARD Department,Koelner Bank in person of Dr.Henry Cole as he is our representative in Nigeria.
Contact him immediately for your ATM card of USD$750,000.00. This funds are in a ATM card for security purpose so he will send it to you and you can make your withdrawal of fund in any ATM machine or bank of your choice. Therefore, you should send him (i)Your Full Name (ii)Your Direct Mobile Number (iii)Your Home or Office Address. Contact Dr.Henry Cole immediately for your ATM card:
 
Person to Contact: Dr.Henry Cole
Director,ATM Swift Card Department
Koelner Bank
Email: dr.henrycole@vf.vc
 
Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
 
Hoping to hear from you as soon as you receive your ATM card.
 
Making the world a better place.
Regards,
Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General of the United Nations

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