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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Kofi Annan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <unitednationscouncil@superposta.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2012 11:21:29 -0500
Subject: Your Payment Is Ready(Contact Dr.Henry Cole)

UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE KOELNER BANK.
UNITED NATIONS (UNITED NATIONS ASSISTED PROGRAMME)
DIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT AND TRANSFERS.
UNITED NATIONS LAISON OFFICE
WIRE TRANSFER/AUDIT UNIT

Our Ref: WB/NF/UN/KB027

Date: 28/08/2012

Attention: Sir/Madam,

How are you today?Hope all is well with you and family?,You may not understand why this mail came to you.

I am Kofi Annan,Former Secretary General of the United Nations and Special Peace Envoy to Syria, I am contacting you with regards to the last United Nations Council meeting held in Geneva concerning the UN compensation programme.

We receive a confirmation that you where among the scam victims, because of this Secretary-General BAN KI-MOON of United Nations has agreed to reward and compensate you and also to pay 6 other victims from your country who has been Victims of Internet scam, The United Nations has decided to pay you ( Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars Only) each.. You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the scammed victims to be paid this amount.Also this compensation award extended to victims of Hurricane, earthquake, War displaced and Aged. Anyone who is a victim of the above mentioned is liable to benefit from this compensation exercise.
We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you,This have been agreed upon and have been signed Therefore,we are happy to inform you that an arrangement has perfectly been concluded to effect your payment as soon as possible in our bid to be transparent and making the world a better place.

However, it is our pleasure to inform you that your ATM Card Number; 5490 9957 6302 4525 has been approved and upgraded in your favor. Meanwhile,your Secret Pin Number will be available as soon as you confirm to us the receipt of your ATM CARD.
The ATM Card Value is $750,000.00 USD Only. You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of US$5,000.00 is permitted daily.And we are duly inter-switched and you can make withdrawal in any location of the ATM Center of your choice/nearest to you any where in the world.

We have also concluded delivery arrangement with our accredited courier service Company to oversee the delivery of the ATM Card to you without any further delay.
So you are hereby advice to forward to this office Director ATM SWIFT CARD Department. Therefore, you should send him your full Name and Telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him to send the ATM to you.

Contact Dr.Henry Cole, immediately for your ATM SWIFT CARD:


1. Your Full Name :

2. Your Direct Mobile No:

3. Your Home or Office Address :

Email : atmcarddept.drhenrycole@hotmail.com

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hoping to hear from you as soon as you receive your ATM Card.

Making the world a better place

Regards,

Kofi Annan
Former Secretary General (UNITED NATIONS)

Anti-fraud resources: