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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "UNITED NATIONS (UN)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info_united.nations10017@usa.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2014 00:37:40 -0700
Subject: FINAL FUND REMITTANCE APPROVAL OF YOUR OVERDUE FUND

New York, NY 10017, U.S.A.
Tel: (212) 745 9316.
Web: http://www.un.org/
U.N.713.2014/Treaties-2

Our Ref: UN/IRD/XXIFCXX/021/14


Utmost Attention Needed,


RE: LETTER OF REPATRIATION OF YOUR OUTSTANDING CONTRACT FUND FROM AFRICA.


Based upon information from the Law Enforcement & Complaints Commission submitted to the United Nations concerning existing cyber scams and non-release of outstanding Inheritance and Lottery Funds by the African Governments, we are experiencing a little mix-up concerning your outstanding fund which has been held in arears.

However, it is imperative that clarification be made on the under listed questions before further action could be taken on the subject matter;

(A) ARE YOU TRULY EXPECTING ANY INHERITANCE, LOTTERY OR CONTRACT SUM FROM WEST AFRICAN?

(B) IF YES! HOW MUCH IS THE EXACT AMOUNT YOU'RE EXPECTING FROM WEST AFRICAN AS YOUR CONTRACT SUM?

(C) HAVE YOU LOST/ OR PAID ANY MONEY TO ANYONE IN WEST AFRICAN OR THE CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICAN (ECOWAS)?

The United Nations strongly recommends you reconfirm the above, hence we will be in a better position to carry out further investigation on your payment file and consequently get the status of your fund and en-route your payment through the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Thank you for your anticipated co-operation on this matter. Your prompt
response will be appreciated highly.

Yours in service,
AMBASSADOR JAN ELIASSON
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS.


© Copyright United Nations, USA 2014

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