419 scam: "INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICES"<info@irs.gov.com> Request for End of the Year 2010 : Recertification of Foreign Status

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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.
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.
- +447006053790 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lindashilitto@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:36:13 -0000
Subject: Request for End of the Year 2010 : Recertification of Foreign Status

Sir/Madam,

Our records indicate that you are a Non-resident alien. As a result you are exempted from Europe/United States of America Tax reporting and withholdings on interest paid to you on your foreign account and other financial benefits.

To protect your exemption from tax on your account and other financial benefits, you need to recertify your exemption status and enable us confirm your records with us.Therefore, you are to authenticate the following by completing form W-8BEN and return to us as soon as possible through fax number +44 700-605-3790.

When completing form W-8BEN, please follow the steps below:

1. We need you to provide your permanent address if different from the current mailing address.
2. You must indicate as a Non-Europe/US resident, the country you are residing, to support your non-resident status and if your bank or other financial institutions you are dealing with has a Europe/US address for mailing purposes.
3. If any joint account holder is now a US resident or citizen, or in any way subject to US tax reporting laws: please check the box in this section.
4. Please complete 1 through 19 and have all account holder/s (if more than one account holder) sign and date the form separately and fax to the above-mentioned fax numbers.

Please complete Form W-8BEN (attached) with an enclosed copy of your international passport(photo page)and return to us within one week from the receipt of this letter by faxing it, to enable us confirm your records immediately.If your records are not confirmed on time, you will lose your Non-resident status tax exempt benefits and your Foreign account or any other financial benefits will be subject to US tax reporting and back up withholding.If back up withholding applies, we are required to withhold 30% of the interest/benefits paid to you.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us protect your exempt status and also confirm our records.

Sincerely,

Mrs.Linda Shilitto.
IRS Public Relations.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam