419 scam: Mr John Acton. <info@imf.us> STRICTLY TO THIS EMAIL RECIPIENT.

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 of your funds" (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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- j.acton14704@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr John Acton. <info@imf.us>
Reply-To: <j.acton14704@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2023 17:21:20 -0700
Subject: STRICTLY TO THIS EMAIL RECIPIENT.

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

STRICTLY TO THIS EMAIL RECIPIENT.

Fund Beneficiary,
I am surprised to receive an application this morning from MR.ROBERT BERNHARDT,which stated that you have authorized him to take care of the payment procedures and ensure that the bank will transfer the funds to another bank account in Switzerland and that you had an auto accident and you can not walk at this moment now.

Could you please confirm immediately, your relationship with MR.ROBERT ALLEN BERNHARDT and also, confirm if the bank account in Switzerland as indicated below is now your new bank account information to receive your outstanding payment funds from our paying bank.

CREDIT SUISSE, CH-8038 ZÜRICH,SWITZERLAND
ACCOUNT NO:5018 1448 1308
IBAN: CH19 0483 5018 1448 1308 1
SWIFT CODE: CRESCHZZ80A

Kindly reply today by email with your mailing address and your telephone number where to reach you,in order to confirm this information to avoid wrong transfer of your funds,so that we can be free to proceed with MR ROBERT AlLLEN. as regards to the online transfer requirement needed to transfer the $17,500,000.00(SEVENTEEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS to the above bank account in Switzerland.

Warm regards,

Mr John Acton.
Director of Foreign Payment Reconciliation Unit(IMF)
Private email: j.acton14704@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam