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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: "International Monetary Fund" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cdennis@dr.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:09:03 -0500
Subject: Awaiting Your Urgent Respond

Attention: Sir/Madam
 
 
This email is coming from IMF, we write to notify you concerning your fund worth $850,000.00 Dollar which is still pending in our custody, Please be inform that your compensated fund worth $850,000.00 US Dollars as been programmed on an ATM Master CARD so you are to receive your fund Via ATM Master CARD which you can make withdraw of $10,000 us Dollars on any ATM Machine in your location everyday.
 
 
Please be inform that people who are also a beneficiary like you has paid their $150 USD for their delivery and now have their package in their hand.
 
 
You can confirm with the recent Tracking Number of beneficiary who has just received their package as to confirm.
 
 
Site:  www.fedex.com
Name: Mr. Davis
Tracking Number: 875784485734
 
 
Name: Mrs. Louisa
Tracking Number: 875785824111
 
 
Note: After confirmation with the Tracking Number you are advice to get back to me with your correct delivery address so I can confirm and send you the information to use in making payment for your delivery fee.
 
 
Full Name:
Correct Home Address:
Contact Number:
 
 
Once again note, this is the only payment requested for this, any other payment requested, your $150 USD will be refund back to you without delay.
 
 
Best Regards
Mr. Dennis Chimezie
International Monetary Fund
info@imf.org

Anti-fraud resources: