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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: "James Peterson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ericm9393@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2016 00:11:09 -0400
Subject: [***SPAM*** Score/Req: 07.6/5.0] Re: File No: 5250/UN/IMF/2016

Att: Beneficiary
 
NOTE: If you received this message in your SPAM/BULK folder, it is because of the restrictions imposed by your Mail/Internet Service Provider, we urge you to treat it genuinely.
 
With reference to File No: 5250/UN/IMF/2016, a draft of $12,200,000.00 United States Dollars was approved in your name by the present Government, Foreign Payment and Transfer (UNITED NATION Assisted Program), Federal Ministry of Finance, and the INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND instructed to send the draft to you as compensation.
 
Lately a citizen of your Country came into the office and told us that bearer of the draft was dead some months ago and he wants the draft re-issued in his name as your next of kin.
 
Note: It is a conformable draft in your name not cash, You can only cash it into money at any bank of your choice worldwide.
 
Therefore, you are advised to re-confirm the below details to effect the delivery of the draft to your address.
 
1) Your name in full:
2) Contact address:
3) Current tell/cell:
4) City Zip code:
 
Contact the below person for your draft delivery to you.
Contact:  Eric Moore
EMAIL:    ericm9393@gmail.com
 
Do give him a call as soon as you receive this email.
Reconfirm and respond immediately, if you are alive.
 
Best Regards
James Peterson
(IMF NOTIFICATION OFFICER)
 

Anti-fraud resources: