419 scam: "Mr Steve Howard"<steve@imf.co.uk> Attn: Friend

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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.
- +447024053599 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Steve Howard" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stevehoward@yandex.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 09:44:12 +0200
Subject: Attn: Friend

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
Mr. Steve Howard
Executive Controller and Debt Reconciliation
I.M.F Regional officer (United Kingdom)
32 Park Hamilton Drive Manchester United Kingdom.
Tel: + 44-702-405-3599

Dear Sir,

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 intentions 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, 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:
Fax no:
Age:
Country:
Home address:
Office address:
Occupation:
Company Name:
Marital status:
Driver's license or international passport copy:
Bank account details:

Respond urgently with the aforesaid 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:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam