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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: "IMF OFFICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <imf.agent@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2014 17:02:59 +0200
Subject: Re: Your Debt Paid

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
Mr. Steve Haward - I.M.F Regional officer (United Kingdom)
Executive Controller United Kingdom and Debt Reconciliation
32 Park Hamilton Drive Manchester United Kingdom.
Direct Line: +447012959354
It has come to our notice in our Headquarters building (I.M.F) Washington D.C, U.S.A that your impending funds, which was intercepted has not been released to you; we noticed that you made several attempt to transfer your funds but to no avail. Our investigation continued to the African, European and United State Department of the International Monetary Fund (I.M.F. The monitoring team gave an unsatisfactory report to your transaction; hence the chairman is presently under investigation for conspiracy with your representative with intensions to divert your funds.
We have the absolute right and authority to pay any funds emanating as a proceed of loan, Inheritance, Contract payment, Business representative, Bogus cheque, Lottery and ATM Card transactions. You are advised to desist from contacting anyone including your agent or representative in this regard because International Monetary Fund has taken full responsibility to transfer your fund to you. Respond to this mail by re-confirming the information below.
Full name:
Telephone no:
Country:
Contact address:
Occupation:
Respond urgently to enable us proceed with your payment
 
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Steve Haward
I.M.F Regional officer (United Kingdom)
Debt Reconciliation and Executive Controller

Anti-fraud resources: