419 scam: "OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES"<torrente@pmegachem.com> RE: OFFICIAL WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER PART-PAYMENT NOTICE

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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- "bank charges " (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. )
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ykala0616@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2022 19:56:39 -0700
Subject: RE: OFFICIAL WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER PART-PAYMENT NOTICE

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES

Internal Audit,Monitoring,Consulting And Investigations Division

RE: OFFICIAL WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER PART-PAYMENT NOTICE

Attention,

My name is Fatoumata Ndiaye, from the United Nations. It is a distinct pleasure to write you again. As you are well aware many foreigners have invested thousands of United States Dollars into Nigeria transactions in Hopeless Dreams to have none of them become a reality. Your file is one of the approved legitimate beneficiaries to receive a grant of US$250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars Only).

Right now,as directed by our secretary general Mr. Antonio Guterres, We have agreed with the Nigeria Government that US$250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars Only) would be paid to you through the Western Union Money Transfer Via special arrangement as first installment. This is to enable you have enough funds to pay for the Tax Clearance and bank charges before you will receive the balance of your funds.

Please take note that you will pay US$220 only being Notarization fee and this is the only financial obligation that you will undertake to receive the US$250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars Only) through the Western Union Money Transfer.

Based on the above subject matter, I would like you to urgently respond to this message with your full name, address and telephone number so that I can activate the Western Union Money Transfer on your behalf within the next 24 hours and release your fund.

Note: I have been Officially Assigned to facilitate this Transaction, I hereby advise you adhere to my instruction to enable us complete your Compensation Fund Transfer Successfully after your payment of $220 activation and notarization fee.

Sincerely yours,

Fatoumata Ndiaye

SECRETARY UNITED NATIONS

OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam