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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: "MS CHRISTINE LAGARDE." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <madamechristinelagarde@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 06:20:12 -0800
Subject: RE: OUTSTANDING TRANSFER OF US$16.2M

OFFICE OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.
MS CHRISTINE LAGARDE.
Contact address: christinelagarde@collector.org
                                   
                                       RE: OUTSTANDING TRANSFER OF US$16.2M
Following the new International Monetary Fund(IMF)guidelines, Our records have revealed an outstanding  payment of US$16.2M due for payment, to you as the beneficiary and named next of kin. Your name was discovered next on the list of the outstanding next of kin who have not received their payments.
I am Christine Lagarde, The Managing Director International Monetary Fund.
 
Firstly, I plead on behalf of the International Monetary Fund, for not contacting you all this while as regards your payment, which I know by now, must
have cost you some inconveniences, I am promising You on behalf of the IMF that this will not repeat itself any more.
I want you to know that your payment is valid and maintained with us here. I have ensured that you receive your fund direct to your account in USA
I advice you to co-operate with me and listen to my advice as the International Monetary Fund(IMF) will not be held responsible for any lapses or mis-direction of your fund due to your inability to co-operate with me who is in-charge as the new Managing Director of IMF.
I can not vividly explain how this payment was generated / occurred to you, but I was informed before I resumed my humble office in June. that an inheritance fund due to you has been delayed.Coupled with the fact that the computer departments of the IMF here in United Kingdom was burnt down some time ago before I resumed this humble office, and all available information's as regards your information was missing as well.
when we were able to trace burnt files we were only left with your email address which I cannot see clearly. When this payment notification was forwarded to my humble office, I decided to contact you for immediate payment of your inheritance fund. I wish to inform you that your payment is now processed and will be transferred to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in my file your outstanding inheritance fund is $16.2M (Sixteen Million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).
Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings.
1) Your full name
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Your Banking C-ordinates
As soon as this information are received, your payment will be transferred to you as you may direct. You must get back to me immediately as soon as you go through this mail to enable us serve you promptly.
CONGRATULATIONS.
Yours in Service,
Regards,
Ms. Christine Lagarde
Managing Director,
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Contact address: christinelagarde@collector.org

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