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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: IMF <test@fuse.net>
Reply-To: <imf1121203@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:32:50 -0800
Subject: Letter Of Compensation / Settlement.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Office of the Special Representative to the UN.
Head quarters,
 
           Letter Of Compensation / Settlement.
 
 
Attn: Beneficiary,
 
 
      Please bear with us for making this initial contact through email, it is due to the urgency of this notification, since we are unable to reach your telephone line and to officially bring to your notice about your payment file in which you are listed as a beneficiary to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and United Nations Compensation Program of US$10,500,000.00, this Compensation Program is organized Seasonal for victims of  internet scams, disasters(earthquakes, hurricane, storm, fire), and elderly one(s) and fund payment delay in which your fund payment has been delayed by some unpatriotic officers.
 
In view of the above you are advised to reconfirm the information below to facilitate the immediate release of your fund.
 
1) Your Full Name:
 
2) Phone Number:
 
3) Home Address:
 
4) Profession:
 
5) Age:
 
6) Marital Status:
 
Thank you.
 
Best Regards,
Ms. Kristalina Georgieva,
Managing Director International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Anti-fraud resources: