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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: "MR. PEREZ SEYMOUR" (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:37:48 -0700
Subject: AUTHORISATION LETTER

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND {IMF.}
18 VICTORIA STR VICTORIA ISLAND.
01234. LAGOS NIGERIA.
 
OFFICE OF MR. PEREZ SEYMOUR,
IMF - WORLD FUND DISCOVERY MANAGEMENT AND PAYMENT BUREAU.
 
This Notice is brought to you from IMF - WORLD FUND DISCOVERY MANAGEMENT AND PAYMENT BUREAU newly invented by the WORLD BANK in conjunction with IMF and UNITED NATIONS.
 
This body is set up to discover all outstanding Un-Paid Contract/Inheritance/Lotto Funds being owned to Governments, Organisations, Individuals etcetra all over the world through Contract Payment, Inheritance and Lottery Winning Prize Awards as well as health Insurance and compensation payments. It will interest you to know that we have discovered an outstanding Un-paid/Un-claimed sum of TEN MILLION AND EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS [USD10,800,000.00] on a file in favour of your name, and a MANDATE has been issued to this body {WORLD FUND DISCOVERY MANAGEMENT AND PAYMENT BUREAU} to ensure that this fund gets to you as the beneficiary without further unruly delay.
 
We also want to bring to your notice urgently that there is presently a Counter-Claim on your compensation funds valued at USD10,800,000.00 by one REBECCA NORA-CANE (MRS.), who is presently trying to make us believe that you are dead and even explained that you entered into an agreement with her to help you in receiving your funds, so here comes the big question...
 
Did you sign any Deed of Assignment in favour of REBECCA NORA-CANE (MRS.) thereby making her your Representative and Next of kin to receiving your funds on your behalf? REBECCA NORA-CANE (MRS.) has also given us a scanned Copy Of her United States International Passport and Bank Account information for a quick transfer of your funds, while we are still waiting for you to urgently confirm REBECCA NORA-CANE's claims, i want to affirm to you that if we do not hear from you within the next few Working days from today, we will accept REBECCA NORA-CANE (MRS.) as a beneficiary to your funds and transfer your funds to her without further negotiations.
 
In the light of the above, your urgent confirmation will be highly appreciated.
 
Incase you have not appointed REBECCA NORA-CANE (MRS.) and you want to take advantage of your overdue compensation/contract payment, you are advised to urgently reconfirm to this office with your personal and contact information as requested below to enable me make instant recommendations to the IMF Highest Body to put an immediate stop to REBECCA NORA-CANE's claims for an AUTHORISATION LETTER to be sent on your behalf to the Appointed and Approved Paying Bank that you will contact for your claims in due course.
 
FULL NAMES: _________________
COMPLETE HOME ADDRESS: _____________________________
HOME/MOBILE #: _________________________
FAX #: ____________________________________
AGE: ____________________
SEX: ____________________
PROFESSION: ____________________
ALTERNATIVE EMAIL ADDRESS (IF ANY): ____________________
NATIONALITY: ____________________
 
Faithfully Submitted!
Mr. Perez Seymour
Tel: +234 809 114 992
 
Director: WORLD FUND DISCOVERY MANAGEMENT AND PAYMENT BUREAU
IMF. Lagos NIG.

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