419 scam: "Rev. Thomas Moore" <tndic@iums.ac.ir> This is not my first time of helping people,

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Rev. Thomas Moore" <tndic@iums.ac.ir>
Reply-To: <revthomasmoore6@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2015 15:34:53 -0400
Subject: This is not my first time of helping people,

Attention.

I am Rev. Thomas Moore an IPO office Presently, I am working with the International Monetary Fund(IMF) African Forum Headquarter at the transfer department and am in charge of the Foreign Transfer stop Order Cases and File which all the banks in Africa report direct to our office. I want to use this opportunity to let you know that I came across your file through the central computer database that was painted Red and marked X and your transfer has been put on pending and hold for so long. I took time to carry out my investigation and only to find out that you have paid VIRTUALLY all fees but the fund was not released to you.

I'm writing to confirm if you are dead or alive because I am looking for all means to get this fund across to you or your family. I needed to do this because you need to know the statues of your Funds and cause for the delay,I am only doing this because I have the fear of GOD in me and I hate to see people been cheated. i have dedicated my time in doing this at any risk and i can assure you that i can get this fund across to you if you agree to co-operate with me and follow my instructions.

This is not my first time of helping people, i have helped four beneficiaries in the past in getting their fund, two from the USA, one from THAILAND and the other from MALAYSIA, which they promise to compensate me for a job well done but to my greatest surprise after receiving their fund, i have never heard from them and they did not keep to their promise.

Note: That the actual funds is valued at $10.5 Million Dollars and i have transferred your funds out of the International Monetary Fund treasuring account and deposited it at NatWest Bank private online Banking in United Kingdom on your behalf.

I shall be looking forward to hear from you if you are still very much alive?

I remain your brother in the Lord Almighty.

Regards,
Rev. Thomas Moore

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam