419 scam: "OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES"<jones@dss.sc.gov> Greeting

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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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "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)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <interoverservices@secretary.net>
Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2022 12:39:04 -0800
Subject: Greeting

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES

Internal Audit,Monitoring,Consulting And Investigations Division

RE: OFFICIAL US$500,000.00 GRANT VIA BITCOIN (BTC)

Attention,

My name is Ms. 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 and in many part of the world 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$500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) Only.

Right now,as directed by our secretary general Mr. Antonio Guterres, We have agreed with the Nigeria and other Government that US$500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) Only would be paid to you through BITCOIN (BTC) 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$570 only being Notarization and Activation fee of your BTC account. This is the only financial obligation that you will undertake to receive the US$500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) Only through BITCOIN (BTC).

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 your BITCOIN (BTC) payment on your behalf within the next 24 hours and have your grant release.

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 $570 activation and notarization fee.

Sincerely yours,

Ms. Fatoumata Ndiaye

SECRETARY UNITED NATIONS

OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam