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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: "International Monetary Fund" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <belavaderver@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:36:40 -0700
Subject: Mr.Tobias Adrian.Financial Counsellor & Director of the Monetary.

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
700 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20431,
U.S.A.
 
Good day.
 
You are among those whose pending payment has been approved by the INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) in conjunction with the WORLD BANK. The release of your fund has been delayed either as a result of your dealing with unauthorized individuals or unawareness of your current fund and its value. You are advised to stop further communication with anybody or institution regarding the payment.
 
Note that these funds constitute unpaid Insurance, Pension, Contract sums, Inheritance/next of kin and Lottery beneficiaries that originated from Europe, Asia Plus Middle East, America and Africa. Be notified then You are among the list of individuals and companies whose unpaid funds have been approved for payment under the supervision of the International Monetary Fund Headquarters here in Washington, DC USA.
 
On contacting us, please confirm your full name and contact telephone number to enable us to normalize the documents in your name and advise you on how to make your claim.
 
We request that you contact this office within 48 hours of receiving this notification.
 
Congratulations.
 
Mr.Tobias Adrian.
Financial Counsellor & Director of the Monetary.
& Capital Markets Department.
International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Anti-fraud resources: