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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: "MR. JAMES EMMANUEL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <imfjamesemmanuel@zing.vn>
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2003 02:56:16 +0100
Subject: INSTRUCTION TO RELEASE YOUR OVERDUE FUND!!!

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
HEAD OFFICE NO: 23 ADEBOYE ST,
APAPA LAGOS.
Tel: +234-7018-6175-12
REF:-XVGNN8809
 
INSTRUCTION TO RELEASE YOUR OVERDUE FUND
 
This is to intimate you of a very important information which will be of a great help to redeem you from all the  difficulties you have been experiencing in getting your long over due payment due to excessive demand for money from you by both corrupt Bank officials and Courier Companies after which your fund remain unpaid to you.
 
I am Mr. James Emmanuel a highly placed  official of the international Monetary Fund (IMF). It may interest you to know that reports have reached our office by so many correspondences on the uneasy way which people like you are treated by Various Banks and Courier Companies/ Diplomat across Europe to Africa and Asia /London Uk and we have decided to put a stop to that and that is why i was appointed to handle your transaction here in Nigeria.
 
All Governmental and Non-Governmental prostates, NGOs, Finance companies,Banks, Security Companies and  Courier companies which have been in contact with you of late have been instructed to back up from your transaction and you have been advised NOT to respond to them anymore since the IMF is now directly in charge of your payment.
 
You are hereby advised NOT to remit further payment to any institutions with respect to your transaction as your fund will be transferred to you directly from our source.I hope this is clear. Any action contrary to this instruction is at your own risk. you are advise to respond immediately for further details on how  your fund will be released into your designated bank account.below is our contact details,we are Expecting your prompt reply thank you.
 
Direct Hotline: CALL: +234-7018-6175-12
Fax line    234-1-7769978
Reply to;imfjamesemmanuel@zing.vn
         imfjamesemmanuel@outlook.com
 
Sincerely
Mr. James Emmanuel
I.M.F OFFICIAL

Anti-fraud resources: