419 scam: "From the desk of Ms Heidi Lioce Mendoza"<info@admin.com> Are you Dead or Alive?

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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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- brandallsy66@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "From the desk of Ms Heidi Lioce Mendoza" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <brandallsy66@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2017 12:49:22 -0700
Subject: Are you Dead or Alive?

From the desk of Ms Heidi Lioce Mendoza

UN OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES/

US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY,

Internal Audit, Monitoring,

Consulting and Investigations Division.

To: Unpaid Beneficiary,

I have a proposal about your compensation funds as this is to officially inform you that all ATM Card, Inheritance and check have been credited and transferred to Mr Brian from the (UN)United Nation..

Finally, Are you Dead or Alive? If you are still alive, you are required to immediately respond to this email, so that we can confirm your not deceased and also alive and healthy to receive your compensation funds. Contact the agent in charge now, Mr Brian Randall {brandallsy66@gmail.com}

From the desk of Ms Heidi Lioce Mendoza

United Nations Under-Secretary

General for Internal Oversight

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam