419 scam: "UNITED NATIONS PAYMENT"<fire-n-ice1@sbcglobal.net> GET BACK TO ME

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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)
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "maheli_payunit@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "maheli_payunit@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "UNITED NATIONS PAYMENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <maheli_payunit@live.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 13:45:17 +0800
Subject: GET BACK TO ME

FROM THE DESK OF: MR Ma Heli
UNITED NATIONS REPRESENTATIVE
Email Adress; maheli_payunit@live.com

Attn: Sir/Madam,UNITED NATIONS PAYMENT COMPENSATION

I am DR. Ma Heli , UNITED NATIONS representative in asia percific , I
decided to contact you because of the prevailing security report reaching my
office and the intense nature of polity in UNITED NATIONS.
This is to inform you about our plan to send your fund to you via cash
delivery,this system will be easier for you and for us as we are going to send your
contract part payment of US$7.5,000,000 million to you via courier services.
I have secured every needed documents to cover the money. Note, the money is
coming on 2 security proof boxes, the boxes are sealed with synthetic nylon
seal and padded with machine. I will use my position as the UNITED NATIONS representative in asia percific, to release this fund to you. The boxes are coming with
a courier agent who will accompany the boxes to your house address.
All you need to do now is to send to me:
1. Your Full House Address
2. Your Identity such as International Passport or Driver's License
3. Your Contact Phone Numbers.
The courier agent attached will travel with this required informations for the
delivery of your fund. He will call you immediately he arrives your
country'airport. I hope you understand me.
I will let you know when these consignments will be lifted, and note, the agent
does not know the original contents of the boxes. What was declared to them as
the contents is Sensitive Photographic Film Materials. I did not declare money
to them please. If they call you and ask you the contents please tell them the
same thing ok.
Call me immediately and I will let you know how far I have gone with the
arrangement. I will secure the clearance certificate and the yellow tag that will be tagged on the
boxes which I will dispatch along with the security inner keys of the
consignments to enable you access these consignments as soon as it is delivered to you. This
clearance will make it pass every custom checkpoint all over the world without
hitch.
Confirm the receipt of this message and send the requirements to me immediately
you receive this message.
Please I need your urgent reply because the boxes are scheduled to be airlifted
as soon as we hear from you.
Call me immediately you receive this message.
Best Regards,
,
UNITED NATIONS representative
DR. Ma Heli
email; maheli_payunit@live.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam