Scammers continue to evolve their tactics, targeting unsuspecting victims with fake compensation and contract payout schemes. One of the most recent scams circulating online uses the name of the United Nations, combined with bogus claims of compensation for scam victims, failed contracts, or unfinished international transactions. This blog post will break down one such scam in detail, expose the red flags, and provide guidance on how to protect yourself.
The Scam Email in Full
From: Johnson
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2025 01:41
Subject: United Nations
ATTENTION:
This is to inform you again on final notice that you have been selected as one of the lucky winners of the international Contract/compensation Program. The United Nations board in conjunction with World Bank Auditors have concluded after several meetings held in this office to compensate all scammed victims in any part of the world.
However the UNITED NATIONS have agreed to compensate you with the sum of $10,500,000 USD (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). This includes every foreign contractor that may have not received their contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc. We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you, this has been agreed upon and has been signed.
Note that you can receive your fund either through the following means:
1) Online Transfer
2) ATM Card
3) Cash Delivery
Kindly make your choice from the above options on how to receive your fund and contact the Executive Director United Nations Democracy Fund Mrs. Linda R. Jackson for immediate payment of your fund and also make sure you follow up the instructions on how to receive your fund as sum of $52 signing fee of application form and the minor charges attached.
Therefore, you should send him the following:
Your full Name
Telephone number
Your correct mailing address or your account details depending on your choice of receiving your fund.
Kindly Contact Mrs. Linda R. Jackson immediately for your payment now on the Email: [email protected] and send her your full information and your choice of receiving your fund such as your Full Name, Residential Address, Private Phone Number also the fee of $52.
Note the minor fee attached for payment of your fund.
Mr. António Guterres
United Nations Secretary General
Web: http://www.un.org/sg/
Red Flags to Watch Out For
This email might look official on the surface, but it’s filled with signs that it’s part of a phishing and advance-fee scam operation. Let’s go through the red flags:
- Generic Greeting: The email doesn’t use your name. It simply says “ATTENTION,” which is a sign it’s a mass-mailed message.
- Too Good to Be True: The idea that the UN is sending you $10.5 million for being a scam victim or failed business owner is unrealistic.
- Pressure to Act Quickly: Scammers create urgency by claiming it’s a final notice or that immediate action is required.
- Untraceable Payment Methods: You’re asked to pay a $52 fee, typically via methods like gift cards or untraceable transfers.
- Non-Official Email Addresses: Official United Nations staff would never contact you using a Gmail address like [email protected].
- Fake Authority Figures: They name-drop real officials like António Guterres, hoping to boost credibility, but it’s all fake.
What Kind of Scam Is This?
This email falls under several scam categories:
- Advance-Fee Scam: You’re promised a large payout but must pay a fee upfront to receive it.
- Phishing Scam: You’re asked to provide personal details, which can later be used for identity theft.
- Fake Legal Notice: Posing as the UN adds a false sense of legitimacy.
- Compensation Scam: Claiming to offer compensation for previous scams is a tactic used to re-victimize people.
How These Scams Work
Scammers often target individuals using global institutions like the United Nations, World Bank, or IMF. They build elaborate stories around recovered funds, court settlements, or international financial initiatives. Victims are then pressured into paying a small “release” or “processing” fee. Once you pay, either the scammer disappears or continues requesting more money under different pretexts.
How to Stay Safe
- Verify Official Communications: Always double-check any email claiming to be from a government or international organization.
- Never Send Money to Strangers: Legitimate compensation or government payments never require upfront fees.
- Check the Email Domain: Emails from Gmail, Yahoo, or unknown domains are rarely official.
- Look for Grammatical Errors: Scams often contain typos and awkward phrasing.
- Report Suspicious Emails: You can report them to your national fraud agency or email provider.
Why These Scams Continue
Advance-fee scams are successful because they prey on desperation, confusion, or greed. Scammers use emotional manipulation and official-sounding language to create trust. Once a victim engages, the scammer can keep inventing more fees and stories to continue the fraud.
By pretending to be the UN or another trustworthy organization, scammers increase their chances of being taken seriously—especially by people who may have previously been scammed or are looking for financial assistance.
Conclusion
The United Nations Compensation Scam is a textbook example of an advance-fee fraud, designed to trick individuals into sending money for a reward that will never come. If you’ve received a similar email, do not reply, do not send money, and do not provide personal information. Instead, report it to authorities and spread awareness.
Stay alert, stay informed, and protect others by sharing what you know.
Reported scam reply email used: [email protected]
For more information about scams and how to recognize them, visit our main site at FraudExpose.com.