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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: James Brook
Reply-To: <2740036869@qq.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2015 15:29:52 -0500
Subject: DIE OR ALIVE

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
DEPT: WORLD DEBT RECONCILIATION AGENCIES.
ADVISE: YOUR OUTSTANDING PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
Attention.
A power of attorney was forwarded to our office this morning by two gentlemen, one of them is an American national and he is MR DAVID DEANE by name while the other person is MR. JACK MORGAN by name a CANADIAN national, these gentlemen claimed to be your representative, and this power of attorney stated that you are dead; they brought an account to replace your information in other to claim your fund of $7.5 Million Usd which is now lying DORMANT and UNCLAIMED, below is the new account they have submitted:
BANK.-HSBC CANADA
Vancouver, CANADA
ACCOUNT NO. 2984-0008-66
Be further informed that this power of attorney also stated that you suffered and died of throat cancer. You are therefore given 24hrs to confirm the truth in this information, If you are still alive, You are to contact us back immediately with the below information, Because we work 24 hrs just to ensure that we monitor all the activities going on in regards to the transfer of beneficiaries inheritance and contract payment.
Your Names:
Your Home/Office Address:
Your Nationality
Your Phone:
Your Occupation:
Your Age/Sex and I’d Card:
You are to reply immediately for clarifications on this matter as we shall be available 24 hrs to give you the necessary guidelines on how to ensure that your payment is wired or delivered to you immediately, just also be informed that any further delay from your side could be dangerous, as we would not be held responsible of wrong payment.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. James Brooks.
(Director of Operation) IMF

Anti-fraud resources: