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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 (IMF)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <imf_londonuk@qatar.io>
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 14:17:26 -0700
Subject: Your Awaiting Outstanding Fund***

International Monetary Fund (IMF)
164 DE-80939 Berkshire,
London, United Kingdom.
 
 
REF:-XVGNN8809
 
Dear Beneficiary,
 
 
 
We the International Monetary Fund (IMF) European cooperate Office have received all the overdue outstanding payments owed to the following: firms, contractors, inheritance next of kin and lottery beneficiaries that was originated from Africa, Europe, Americans, Asia including Middle East. Among the list are individuals and companies that their unpaid funds have been located to our authorized official paying bank,
 
Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive a part-payment of $1.8 Million and has been approved already as concluded by the (IMF) Chapter based on the agreement reached by the European Union and the World Bank Audit Unit and United Nations Policy Maker Unit under World Bank payment constitution and the World Economic Development Forum Annual Meeting held in london to erase debt of up to $3.5billion owed by African banks and other several international banks world wide as it has been backed by one of the main international lenders IMF (International Monetary Fund) through Debt Relief and Settlement Package.
 
This effort is to help tackle world financial crisis which resulted in global rescissions in the entire world financial system since the European Economic have a great remarks in growth statistics shows.
 
You are requested to get back to this office for verification and immediate approval of your fund release.
 
Any kind of your dealing with any individuals / institution may cause irregularities and complications on your payment file as it will be indicated by our technical experts in respect to your entire payment requirements which have just been duly rectified. Meanwhile, we have been informed that you are still dealing with impostors and unaccredited officials in the bank. Such acts must stop for security reasons if you wish to receive your payment, hence we have decided to bring a solution to your problem.
 
Your full name
Your current postal address
Your phone/ fax number
Total amount expecting
Photocopy of your passport
 
Instead of losing your fund, please indicate to us the total sum you are expecting and for your information, you have to stop any further communication with any institution or office until you receive your payment.
 
 
This development is as result of the effort made by World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) European Central Bank / the European Council to this relief and any negligence and undermining of this message may result confiscation of your awaiting Outstanding Fund
 
 
 
We await your urgent response
 
 
 
 
 
Hon. George James,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (IMF)
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND  LONDON
E-mail : imf_londonuk@qatar.io
Tel:+447023094591 Fax: +448447743869

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