419 scam: "IRS Commissioner"<Oversight_Board@io.ocn.ne.jp> Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "transfer into your account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "IRS Commissioner" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <irspaymentdept1@wp.pl>
Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2017 01:38:45 -0000
Subject: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

1111 Constitution Ave NW,

Washington, DC 20224

Dear,

Be informed that we have resolved every requirement concerning the release of your worth $10.5 Million US Dollars which came from Africa. The USA government has make it mandated that the FBI is to sign the fund release bond.Get back to us so that we can advice you on how to receive the fund.

Note that the government requires you to receive this fund so that we can get the Tax from the fund after the transfer into your account, to avoid charging you for tax evasion. It is important that you pick up your fund immediately.

Respond immediately to receive your funds. Do also re-confirm the following to this office for proper communication.

Your Full Name:

Your Full Address:

Your Phone Number:

Montly Income or Weekly Income:

Copy Of Your ID

Awaiting for your urgent reply.

Thanks,

John Koskinen

IRS Commissioner

Washington D.C,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam