419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "info@intermonetaryfunduk.tk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "info@intermonetaryfunduk.tk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024093707 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "International Monetary Fund UK" <info@imfuk.org>
Reply-To: info@intermonetaryfunduk.tk
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:25:38 +0200 (EET)
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION: YOUR OVERDUE FUND OF
=?iso-8859-1?Q?=A310=2C500=2C000.00_GBP_IS_RELEASED‏?=

FROM THE DESK OF
HON. MRS. CHRISTINE LAGARDE
THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
164 DE-80939 Berkshire,London,
United Kingdom.
REF:-XVGNN8809
Tel; +44 702 409 3707
Tel; +44 703 187 4924
Fax; +44 701 118 4418
Reply to: info@intermonetaryfunduk.tk

YOUR OVERDUE FUND OF £10,500,000,00 GBP IS RELEASED

Season Greetings to you and your family. Prior to arrest and interrogation
of some officials last month, it was discovered that they engaged in
swindling foreign customers their God given money on the pretense that
they refused to pay certain charges, thereby making it difficult for you
to claim your funds.

What I am going to explain to you here is the truth. I simply understand
the situation you must have passed through all this while, but put up a
big smile and stand, your God has remembered you and intervened in your
matter. I would feel the same way if am in your shoe. But believe in God
that this time around you shall achieve success.

I have been appointed to attend to you. A new system of payment has been
made. The new system is via e-banking or through sending you a Certified
Bank Draft depending your choice. You would have to make your transfer
yourself to your account without having to travel outside your place. No
more third party transaction. You control your transfers from now on.

Let me make it clear to you. If by this new system you did not receive
your payment, then forget it for life. With this you will make your
transaction yourself, is secured and reliable. No body would be able to
pay you if you continue dealing third parties.

You are advised to furnish us with the following information:

Full Name:
Address:
Occupation:
Direct Telephone number:
Country:
Gender:

Please be patient, and at full corporation when communicating with us. In
your communication to us, attach your identity card for easy verification.
If you deal with anybody else apart from them, you are totally at risk.

Sincerely
Hon. Mrs.Christine Lagarde,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (IMF).
Reply to; info@intermonetaryfunduk.tk

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam