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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: "INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND(IMF)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <imfwatchss@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:35:32 -0500
Subject: Re: IMF Warns Of Fraudulent E-Mails and Financial Scams Misusing Its Name

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
FINANCIAL MONITORY DEPARTMENT
HEAD QUARTERS:
700 19TH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, DC. 20431.
 
 
                                                              Attention: Sole Beneficiary.
We the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Washington, DC in conjunction with some other relevant Investigation Agencies here in United State of America like Federal bureau of investigation (FBI),Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Office of the Foreign Asset Control, Homeland Security and Treasury Department have recently been informed through our Global intelligence monitoring network that you presently have a transaction going on with the Central Bank of Nigeria regards to your over-due contract payment valued US$30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million United States Dollars) Which was fully endorsed in your favor accordingly.
I wish to inform you that there is a directive from the IMF, United Nation Organization and the European Authorities to pay all outstanding debts owed to beneficiaries by African Countries. This was resolved in a meeting held between European Union Authorities and Officials of United States Government in Brussels last week, as a condition from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support European Union (EU) and United States of America in the fight against corruption and money laundering.
This is to avoid any mistake while transferring this your overdue contract payment to you and now your new Payment Reference No. - 545000358, Allocation No. - 604728, Password No.- 9955104, Pin Code No - 44779 and your Certificate of Merit Payment No. – 202; Release Code No. – 0977; Immediate Telex Confirmation No. – 1144778401; Secret Code No. – XTV12349 and having received these vital payment numbers therefore, you are qualified to register for your your telex and cable access pin codes now to receive and confirm your payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria immediately into your nominated bank account within 24 banking hours.
Federal Government of Nigeria further informed us that we should warn our dear citizens who must have been informed of the contract payment which was awarded to them from the Central Bank of Nigeria, to be very careful prior to these irregularities so that they don't fall victim to this ugly circumstance anymore. And  in case you are already dealing with anybody or office claiming to be from the Central Bank of Nigeria, you are advised to STOP further contact with them in your best interest and then contact immediately the real office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) only with the below information accordingly:
NAME: MR. LAMIDO SANUSI AMINU (CBN GOVERNOR)
REV. JAMES SMITH (FINANCIAL SECRETARY)
OFFICE ADDRESS: CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT,
CAD ASTRAL ZONE, FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY.
NIGERIA.
EMAIL: cbninbox@blumail.org
                                                              FUND TRANSFER PAYMENT STATUS
Note that as instructed by the International Financial Bodies Due to ongoing fraudulent/scam activities, IMF and appropriate authorities warned that beneficiary is NOT liable to pay Cost Of Transfer (COT), VAT and Documentation Fee/Charges during the process of transfer and any officer that demands a transfer charges from you is a criminal and you have every right to report the person to us because the only fee to be paid by you is US$490 and must be paid to the Regional office of the International Monetary Fund in Nigeria for IMF CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE which will prevent your receiving Bank for query on the source of funds, These Certificate proves that the funds was not for ANTI-TERRORISM, MONEY LAUNDRY AND DRUG TRAFFICKING.
All modalities has already been worked out even before you were contacted and note that we will be monitoring all your dealings with them as you proceed so you don't have anything to worry about. All we require from you henceforth is an update and you are advised not to disclose the said inheritance contract funds with anyone until your funds has been fully released to you, Without wasting much time we advice you to contact them immediately with the above email address so as to enable them attend to your case accordingly without any further delay as time is already running out.
Thank you very much for your anticipated co-operation in advance as we earnestly await your urgent response to this matter.
Yours Sincerely in Service,
 
MR.DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR.
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
 

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