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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: "John Lee" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnleimf@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2015 07:16:10 -0500
Subject: HOW ARE YOU

OFFICE OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND LAGOS/NIGERIA BRANCH(I.M.F)
Funds Investigations Units
From; Mr John Lee
Attention; Beneficiary.
Dear Sir/Ma,
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. You really have to stop dealing with those people that are contacting you and telling you that your fund is with them, it is not in anyway with them, they are only taking advantage of you and they will dry you up until you have nothing.
I am MrJohn Lee, 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/Barristers across Europe to Africa and Asia /London UK etc. We have decided to put a stop to that and that is why I was appointed to handle your transaction here in  Accra. 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 off from your
transaction and you.
Your name appeared in our payment schedule list as one of the beneficiaries that will receive their funds in this First Quarter Payment of the ear,this is because this office only transfer fund twice in a year according to our banking regulation. We hereby apologize for this delaying of your payment We also advised that you should  please stop further communicating with any office,group of people/companies they are have nothing offer now and per attention to our office payment base on their instruction. Now your new Payment, code number with United nation Approval No; UN5685P, White House Approved No: WH44CV, Reference No.-35460021, Allocation No:674632 Password No: 339331, Pin Code No: 55674 and your Certificate of Merit Payment o:103, Released Code No:0763;
Immediate (IMF) Telex confirmation No: -1114433; Secret Code No: XXTN013.Your part payment inheritance fund is uSD$10Million.
Having received these vital payment numbers, therefore you are qualified now to received and confirm your payment with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Nigeria Region immediately within the next 168 hours. International Monetary Fund Unit are presently in the CRUSADE. We are hereby giving you every assurance  you that the favors of God have located your Payment Approved File and you shall NO MORE fall into the evil net of fraudulent people. If you are Christian, I want you to read this portion from the Holy Bible (Isaiah chapter 44 verse  25 and Book of Job chapter 5 verse 12). I tell you emphatically that this is the END of those evil doers, we must Apprehend  and prosecute them accordingly.
According to the word from our new President, who is a very sincere and God fearing man, "God will surely disappoint their evil desires because we have come to deliver you from their devilish hands". And, this (IMF)Funds Clearance Authority must also ensure that your Approved fund shall reach your Bank Account. Your constant communication is Important. We assure you that your payment will get to you as long as you follow my directives and instructions. We have decided to give you a CODE, THE CODE IS: (5502). please any time you receive email without the code (5502). Do delete it immediately. 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. Respond to this e-mail on ( with immediate effect and we shall give you further details on how your fund will be released. Also call me as soon as you send the e-mail so that you will be given an immediate response:
Thanks as your highly co-operation will be needed. Do call me on the above number after reading the E-mail for confirmation.
Faithful In Service
Mr.John Lee

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