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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: "International Monetary Fund (IMF)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <honmrs.christinelagarde1@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 18:01:06 +0700
Subject: ATTN:Beneficiary,21-10-2011

International Monetary Fund (IMF)
DE 164 80 939 Berkshire, Thailand
Bangkok.
REF:-XVGNN8809

ATTN: Beneficiary,

This is to intimate you about a very important information that will be of great help to redeem you from all the difficulties you have experienced to get your long overdue for payment due to excessive demand for money from you as both corrupt bankers and Courier Company, after which your fund remains unpaid to you.

I am Mrs. Christine Lagarde, Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It may interest you to know that reports have reached our office as so many counterparts in the troubled way that people like you are treated with various banks and courier companies / Diplomat throughout Europe to Africa and Asia / London UK and we have decided to put an end to it and that's why I was appointed to handle your transaction here in Thailand

All governmental and non-governmental prostate, NGOs, finance companies, banks, security and courier companies who have been in contact with you too late has been asked to back up from your transaction and you have been advised not to respond to them anymore because the IMF now directly responsible for your payment.

You are hereby advised not to remit the additional payment to all institutions in terms of your transaction that your fund will be transferred to you directly from our source. I hope this is clear. Any action contrary to these instructions at your own risk. You can afford to respond immediately for further details on how the fund will be released to your designated bank account. Below is our contact information, we expect your prompt response please.

You are advised to provide the following information:

YOUR NAME:
BANK DETAILS:
YOUR COUNTRY:
PHONE/FAX:

Reply to:honmrs.christinelagarde@yahoo.com.hk

Sincerely
Hon.Mrs. Christine Lagarde,
Managing Director (IMF)

Anti-fraud resources: