419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "affidavit of claim" (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. )
- "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)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "un_org.info@secretary.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "stand_chartered@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "United Nations Compensation Commission(UNCC)"
<unitednationscompensation_org@outlook.com>
Reply-To: un_org.info@secretary.net
Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2016 05:39:33 -0500
Subject: UN COMPENSATION PROGRAM

--

From The Desk of the Information Officer,
Compensation Payment Department,
United Nations Information Centre
Junction of Liberia and Maxwell Road,
P.O. Box 2339, Accra.Ghana
Tel: 0302-6786851, ext. 148-150/675411
www.unghana.org

We wish to notify you as a beneficiary of $ 500,000.00 USD in
compensation United Nations Compensation Commission(UNCC) have received
all the overdue outstanding payments owed to the following: firms,
contractors, inheritance, next of kin ,Super Hurricane sandy, War
affected persons, Scam Victims, Accident affected persons, Plane
Crash,Earthquake and lottery beneficiaries including ISIS victims that
was originated from Africa, Europe, Americans, Asia including Middle
East. Among the list are individuals and companies that their unpaid
funds have been located to our authorized official paying bank,

This program was launched by the United Nation and supported by World
Bank and the payment will be processed and ready for payment to your
nominated account or by our unlimited ATM CARD which you can cash
/withdraw your funds daily from your country and any other country you
may travel to and your details is required as stated below if you prefer
the ATM, if you prefer to receive your payment by Telegraphic Wire
Transfer to your account then provide to us your account information.
You are only required to obtain Affidavit of Claim document your fund
can released to you.
Your Full Name
Address:
Telephone:
Age:
Sex:
Occupation:
Country of Origin:
Copy of International Passport or Identification Card

Regards.
Dominic Sam
Country Director
un_org.info@secretary.net
http://www.gh.undp.org/content/ghana/en/home/operations/stafflist.html

Mr. BAN Ki-moon (Chair of CEB) - Secretary-General, Asian Institute of
reforming compensation practices to support financial stability

Payment center
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited
Accra High Street,
PO Box 768
Phone:+233543420498
Accra, Ghana
stand_chartered@outlook.com
http://www.standardchartered.com.gh/

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam