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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "required fee " (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 ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• 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.
  • +2348054149727 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: imfofficewa2@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2008 05:07:34 +0530 (IST)
Subject: YOUR IMF COMPENSATION PAYMENT AS A SCAMMED VICTIM [CONGRATULATIONS]


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: imf_aboote116@yahoo.in



- Based on the meeting held on the 4th of November 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland concerning the rapid fraudulent activities that has been going on globally, especially from the African continent as contained in a report submitted by the International Monitoring Unit of the IMF and World Bank respectively. We have been authorized by the governing body of the International Monetary Fund (I.M.F) to compensate few affected victims selected by the International Monitoring Unit. In lieu of the above, we are mandated to release a compensation sum of USD250.000.00 to you through ELECTRONIC ATM CASH CARD. To guarantee the security of your compensation fund, the fund was programmed into ATM CASH CARD with your personal Identification number (PIN) that will enable only you have direct control over this fund that has been allocated to you. We obtained an irrevocable payment guarantee on your compensation money from the IMF headquarters; therefore we are happy to inform you today, the 4th of November,2008 that your compensation Fund has been credited into ATM CASH CARD in your favour based on the recommendation and instructions. I will send through email attachment a copy of your USD250,000.00 compensation ATM CASH CARD already issued for your viewing on your request including my official ID for your double assurance and also the information you need to send the required fee of USD255 for the immunity coverage and express delivery cost. Upon your compliance in providing the required fee for the immunity coverage and express delivery cost. Your ATM CASH CARD and the bank note containing the Pin Code already packaged will be dispatched to you. Congratulations while we expect your urgent response. Yours Sincerely, Sir. Anthony Boote, Regional Director, Debt Management Office [DMO], International Monetary Funds. Direct Line: 234-8054149727.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam