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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 MARY WILLIAMS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williams.mary64@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2015 07:59:24 -0500
Subject: TRANSFER OF $9.7M DOLLARS.....Reply!

Attention: Beneficiary. Sir/Madam,
 
This is to inform you that after a board meeting with IMF Director Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and FBI including the United States Government we have concluding the processed of  transferring your (US$9.7M) once the details requested below have been forwarded to us'
 
Did you sign any Deed of Assignment in favor of (TOM BROWN) Thereby making him the current beneficiary with his following account details?
 
MR TOM BROWN,
AC/NUMBER: 6503809428.
ROUTING/122006743,
B/NAME: CITI BANK,
ADDRESS: NEW YORK, USA,
 
We shall proceed to issue all payments details to the said Mr. TOM BROWN, if we do not hear from you within the next two working days from today.
 
Your file appears in arrived on my desk two days ago Through the IMF office stating that you are among several people approved to be paid half of their part payment of Nine million, seven Hundred thousand Dollars ($9.7Million USD). Signed by World Bank Nigeria, On behalf of IMF.
 
 
1) Your full name.
2) Contact Address
3) Phone, fax and mobile #.
4) Age.
5) Occupation.
6) Your bank details
 
 
In receipt of the above information and your payment will be approved and paid to you by bank to bank wire transfer to your nominated bank account. You are advised to get back to me immediately for more information listed above.If you know that you did not send him please provide your details to enable us commence on your transfer and release the fund to you in a legal way.
 
Thanks
 
YOURS TRULY
MS MARY WILLIAMS/MR EDWARD CLIFF
DIRECTOR OF PAYMENT/ SPECIAL DUTIES
WORLD BANK AUDITORS
Office Hot Line +234-8022983818

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