419 scam: "benjamin wilson" <benjaminwilson0965@gmail.com> FIDELITY BANK/UNITED NATIONS 2016 COMPENSATIONS PAYMENTS DEPT

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "cost of transfer" (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. )
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2347086365272 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "benjamin wilson" <benjaminwilson0965@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2016 23:17:58 +0100
Subject: FIDELITY BANK/UNITED NATIONS 2016 COMPENSATIONS PAYMENTS DEPT

ATTENTION:

We are writing you regarding the transfer of your compensations funds which ought to commence immediately haven received your details needed for the transfer. Haven done all the proper verification exercise from all our department, we found you worthy of the cash compensations in the FIDELITY BANK/UNITED NATIONS 2016 COMPENSATIONS PAYMENTS programme organized by UNITED NATIONS/NIGERIA GOVERNMENT aimed at redeeming the country's image and also to try to put an end to the incessant scams reports by foreigners especially from US. However, after this compensation is paid, the country will decline any other report from you should you fall into the hands of these perpetrators again Meanwhile, as for now everything seem to be working in your favor, all that we require from you now, is your maximum cooperation for smooth transfer of your money through our paying bank to you.

We are writing to inform you that we have finalized the release and transfer of your compensations of $5,000,000.00 (FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS), to your account but we wish to let you know of the final stage requirements as stated below:

[1] NAME:
[2] ADDRESS:
[3] AGE:
[4] SEX:
[5] TELEPHONE:
[6] FAX:
[7] OCCUPATION STATUS:

AND ALSO TRANSFER FEE OF $350

Note that your funds is protected by a hardcover insurance policy closely monitored by the UN monitoring committee, which makes it impossible for us to deduct any amount from your compensations funds before it is remitted to you. This means that the above charges cannot be deducted from the compensations and hence must be provided by you before your transfer can be effected. Please respond to this email by making available the charge above.

As soon as the above requirements are met and payments for COT (Cost of Transfer) are paid, and the details of the payment received, your funds will reach you accordingly within 48hours.

CONGRATULATIONS IN ADVANCE!!!

Hoping to hear from you soonest

Yours faithfully,
Benjamin Wilson.
FIDELITY BANK/UNITED NATIONS 2016 COMPENSATIONS PAYMENTS DEPT.
Tel: +234 708 636 5272

Anti-fraud resources:

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