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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: "INTEGRATED PAYMENT SYSTEM" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paymentdepart45@sify.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 00:55:11 -0700
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT FILE HAS BEEN SHORTLISTED FOR FINAL PAYMENT

Attn SIR /MADAM

This is to bring to your notice that approval have been granted by the United Nations to The IMF (International Monetary Fund) United Kingdom Regional Payment Office to pay victims who have been scammed globally through the internet services part payment of $450,000.00 (Four Hundred and fifty Thousand United States Dollars)for the fist quarter this fiscal year 2010.

According to the number of applicants at hand, 382 Beneficiaries has been paid, 50% of the victims are from the United states, we still have more than 50% left to be paid their due compensation.

As of this date, we have been unsuccessful in our attempts to contact you regarding this development but my mail has always been returned undelivered, You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the beneficiaries to be paid, Get back to me as soon as possible for detailed email and the immediate release of your compensation payment

You are also advised to send your communication particulars which includes the following

Full names
Residential Address details
Telephone Fax numbers
Age
Occupation
valid E-mail Address

To enable us have your payment approved, You are advised to forward this information to this office for payment release of your compensation.

You are also requested to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitch in receiving your payment as Scheduled

Yours faithfully,

Dr Brian Williams
Financial Ombudsmen Service
HSBC Bank,
789 High Road
North Finchley
London N12 8JX
UNITED KINGDOM

Anti-fraud resources: