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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: "Mrs. Elizebeth Wallace" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <2796937284@qq.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 2013 17:50:29 +0100
Subject: GET BACK TO ME

 
Attention Sir/Madam
 
 
It has come to our notice in our Headquarters building (I.M.F) that your impending F u n ds from Africa/Europe/Asia, which was intercepted, has not been released to you ,We noticed that you made several attempts to transfer your F u n ds but to no avail. Our investigation continued to the African Department (I.M.F), the monitoring team gave an unsatisfactory report to your transaction; hence the chairman is presently under investigation for conspiracy with your representative with intentions to divert your F u n ds.
 
You are advised to desist from contacting anyone including your agent or representative in this regard, International Monetary F u n d has taken full responsibility to transfer your F u n d to you, respond to this mail by providing your full information below:
 
 
YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT COPY OR DRIVERS LICENSE COPY ( SCANED COPY )
 
Regards,
 
Mrs. Elizebeth Wallace
African Regional Department Director
 

Anti-fraud resources: