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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: "AUTHORITY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <limitedventure@outlook.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2024 10:10:18 -0000
Subject: Reference : -IMF/IPU 23U0033

International Monetary Fund (IMF) International Debt Settlement Unit;
# 1900 , President of AV.DU
Reference : -IMF/IPU 23U0033
 
Dear 
 
I sent this letter  a  month ago, but I did not receive a response. I am not sure if you received it. Therefore, I am writing to you again. First of all, I am Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director and Chairperson of the International Monetary Fund.
 
The Chairman and Governing Body of the United Nations Monetary Unit have asked us to investigate some long-standing unpaid funds in the UN Government Basket that have left the owners confused as to whether they have been deceived by scammers pretending to be from the United Nations. During the investigation, we found that according to the data storage records in our system, including your email address, your payment is included in the list of  150  recipients classified as undelivered lottery funds / unpaid lottery funds / inheritance funds/ uncompleted transfer of contracts .
 
We are appalled to learn that your payments were unnecessarily delayed by corrupt bank officials intent on defrauding your funds, causing significant losses on your part and unnecessary delays in receiving your payments. The United Nations and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have decided to pay all compensation  through  ATM Visa cards to 150 recipients in North and South America, the United States, Europe, Asia and around the world. The   ATM  Visa card is  a global payment technology that allows consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments to use digital currency instead of cash or checks.
 
We have arranged for your payment to be made through an ATM Visa Card. This card will be issued in your name and sent  directly to your address via Skynet Global Delivery Company limited. After you contact us, your  ATM Visa  Card will be loaded with US$2,000,000,000.00  and you will be able to withdraw funds at any  ATM  in the country with a minimum of US$10,000  per  day . At your request, we can increase the limit up to US$50,000.00 - US$100,000.00 per  day. In this regard, you must contact the International Payment Remittance Bureau and provide the following required information:
 
1.  Your full name  ( first and last name )
2.  Country of residence and residential address
3.  Nationality
4.  Date of birth/gender
5.  Occupation
6. Telephone
7. Company email address / personal email address
8. Next of Kin name  and E-mail address.
 
For identification purposes, please use this code  (Reference: CLIENT-966/24/7)  as the subject of your email address and provide the above information to the person below for issuance and delivery of your ATM Visa  card . We have advised Central Bank of Uganda personnel to open a personal email address with a new number, so that we can track your communications regarding this payment and transfer and prevent further delays or misdirection of funds.
 
Please contact a Central Bank of Uganda representative using the contact details below : Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, governor and deputy governor of the Bank of Uganda (Central Bank of Uganda ATM  Visa Card )   Contact Email : (authorizationofficial@outlook.com)
 
Please follow the instructions and reply to this email as soon as possible to avoid further delays.
 
Thank you
Kristalina Georgieva, Public Information Officer  (IMF)
E-mail: imfagent@motas.com.ar

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