419 scam: "INFO-FUNDS." <informao744@gmail.com> Due Process Unit

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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 message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
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.
- +2349037976168 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "INFO-FUNDS." <informao744@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2021 20:54:33 +0100
Subject: Due Process Unit

--

*Sir,*
*Our Ref:FGN-GOV/FPDPU/2021: Be informed that due to the current global
pandemic (COVID-19) which has effected the world economy and health
negatively, as such, government have taken action to ease the impact.
And,instruction has been given by the Office of Presidency, in
collaboration with the world bank and (IMF) to settle outstanding
beneficiaries as, its part of our palliatives. Note: this palliative
compensation includes, Victims of fraudulent activities and payment of
inheritance, contracts and also lottery winning, that are long overdue for
payment etc.*

*However, at this time, we cannot pay everybody, hence, its on random
selection, and right now, US$3.5 Million only is allocated to you.*

*In the light of the above subject matter, do reconfirm your full details
including your name, address and telephone number for our normalization.*
*Also, do indicate how you want to be paid i.e. ATM payment card, check,
cash or online payment via telegraphic transfer?*

*Finally, on behalf of the federal government, we advise that, you STAY
SAFE! as we are ready to assist you get your funds.I look forward to
receiving your urgent response.Cecil SpiffTelephone (
+234-9037976168)Foreign Payment Due Process UnitHumanitarian Affairs and
Disaster Management*

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam