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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: Osita Charles <richardharry0101@gmail.com>
Reply-To: imfund70@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 20:51:07 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: International Monetary Fund (IMF)




International Monetary Fund (IMF)
From Desk Of Mrs Christine Lagarde
Managing DirectorInternational Monetary Fund (IMF)
700 19th Street P/N Cotonou Benin.
Email ( imfund70@yahoo.com.hk
Attn, Beneficiary, The Transfer arrangement with WESTERN UNION Department  Benin Republic
did not progress due to  western union Money Transfer cannot be able
to send  your payment because such  large amount of money  can not
been to transfered by western union money transfer without firm requirement that is required by this department.
The western union  method was not clear due to the (I.M.F & others
Authorities) did not granted the large amount you were trying to get
through western union, Because of the large amount I would like it to
be transfered  to your  bank account in your country in amounts of $48,000.00. in each transfer until you get the total funds of
USD$1.5Million in your name, it is possible to wire the money into
your account and avoid difficulties with the Authorities.
Please let me know if you like the idea, Note that $97.00. is the only
cost you will pay r to have the first $48,000.00. payment into your account, this $97.00. charges  is for the Form and IMF Certificate  we
will use to deposit the money into your account. email me now and let
me know if you will send  this $97.00. Form and IMF  fee to have the first $48,000.00. into your account.
I am very sure of what I said, and it is a promise.
SEND  THE NEEDED $97.00. US Dollars VIA WESTERN UNION  with below information
 
Receiver name========MICHAEL ENEMUO
Country ============Benin Republic
City===========Cotonou
Test Question===== What Color
Ans ===============Blue
Amount============= $97.00.
 
Send it and get back to me with the payment info such as MTCN
I gave you full guarantee  that you will get your  $48,000 clear into
your account within 48hours./ Try send this $97.00. fee and email me
with the MTCN & senders name.Thank You.
  Regards
Mr  Osita Charles
Email ( imfund70@yahoo.com.hk
The IMF: Organization and Finances
From Desk Of  Mrs Christine Lagarde
Managing Director
International Monetary Fund(IMF)

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