419 scam: "United Nations Settlement Program" <info@settlement.com> Compensation Check Parcel

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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:
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +2348020882452 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- upsexpress-service2@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "United Nations Settlement Program" <info@settlement.com>
Reply-To: upsexpress-service2@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:24:30 -0400
Subject: Compensation Check Parcel

Good Day,

After several attempt to reach you via your telephone number, I deemed it
necessary and urgent to contact you with your email and to notify you finally
about the outstanding settlement of your compensation which is being given
out by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. This compensation is
being made to all the victims that have lost their money through any online
transactions or as a result of Scam activities. It has come to our notice
that many of you have lost your money by falling victim to some internet
fraudsters.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the United
Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General
Assembly to promote humanly, socially and environmentally with the goal of
providing adequate shelter for all.

As a result of this scam activities spreading over the internet, the United
Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT have decided to get details
of most victims who were previously scammed by these fraudsters. This Human
Settlements Programme is design to compensate every one of you with the sum
of $500,000.00 USD to help settle all your debts and start a new business.

We have concluded all the necessary arrangements towards the release of your
settlement Check sum of $500,000.00 USD with the financial committee of the
United Nations Human Settlements Programme in collaboration with the United
Parcel Service Nigeria LTD (UPS), to deliver the check sum of $500,000.00 USD
which is registered with Ref No: UN013-0156/UPS-UN-HABITAT to your
Compensation Check Parcel.

You are therefore to contact the United Parcel Service Nigeria LTD (UPS),
with the below information in order to claim your compensation check. Name,
Address, Country, Telephone Number:

==============================
United Parcel Service Nigeria LTD
Plot 781 Emeka Anyaoku Street
Area Eleven Garki
FCT-Abuja
Nigeria.
Tel: +234-802-088-2452
Email: upsexpress-service2@hotmail.com
==============================

Accept our regards.

Healy, Tana
UN-HABITAT Information Office

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam