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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. James Sylvester" <pr_office@konin.lm.pl>
Reply-To: mrjamessylvester1@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:10:48 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Re: Your Confirmation




Attn,

My name is Mr. James Sylvester of the International Monetary Fund
investigation unit. We received a letter in our office here in London UK
today the 13th of August, 2011 requesting that your unclaimed fund be paid
to Janet Williams.

In the said letter of change of beneficiary/ownership, representatives of
Janet Williams's states that you are dead and as such you're Fund/Estate
should be paid to her as the next of kin to you.

Because of the elaborate global scam, we decided to contact you for
confirmation. If after seven working days, no response is received from
you, it will be assumed that you are dead and as such authorization and
approval will be granted on behalf of Janet Williams to claim/receive your
fund.

Confirm this letter and reconfirm your Information and how you want your
fund paid to you without further delay if you are still alive. Send your
response to my email address: mrjamessylvester1@yahoo.co.jp

Below is the information you are expected to re-confirm,

1. Full Name: ___________________
2. Address: ____________________
3. Nationality: _____Sex___________
4. Age: _____ Date of Birth:__________
5. Occupation: ___________________
6. Phone: _______Mobile:_______Fax:_____________
7. State of Origin: _____Country:_____
8. Driver's license: ________________
9. Copy of Your Identity: ____________

Please feel free to call for clarification regarding this matter: +44 701
116 4684

Thanks,

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. James Sylvester
International Monetary Fund Investigation.
Tel: +44 701 116 4684


Anti-fraud resources: