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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: "Mrs Kristalina Georgieva" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kristalina.md.imf@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2024 20:30:54 -0700
Subject: GET BACK TO ME URGENTLY.

Attn: Beneficiary,

I am Mrs. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director(MD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). I am delighted to inform you that the contract/Inheritance Lottery panel of the UN/COVID-19 Awarded Payment has been approved. All Governmental and Non-Governmental, NGO's, Finance Companies, Banks, Security Companies and Diplomat(s) which have been in contact with you of late have been instructed to back off from your transaction and you have been advised NOT to respond to them anymore since the International Monetary Fund(IMF) Head Office is now directly in charge of your Covid-19/Contract/Lottery/Inheritance payment US$15,500,000.00 (Fifteen Million, five hundred thousand United State Dollars).

You are hereby advised NOT to remit further payment to any institution(s) concerning your transaction as your fund will be transferred to you directly from our source. I hope this is clear. Any action contrary to this instruction is at your own risk. Detailed information will be given to you upon your response.

Best regards.
Mrs Kristalina Georgieva.

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