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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: "Mr Edward Cleff" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mredwardcleff003@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2016 19:32:24 +0200
Subject: DIRECTOR OF PAYMENT/ SPECIAL DUTIES

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
DEPT: WORLD DEBT RECONCILIATION AGENCIES.
ADVISE: YOUR OUTSTANDING PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
 
 
Attention
 
 
A power of attorney was forwarded to our office this morning by two gentle men, one of them is an American national and he is MR DAVID DEANE by name while the other person is MR... JACK MORGAN by name a CANADIAN national.
This gentleman claimed to be your representative, and this power of attorney stated that you are dead; they brought an account to replace your information in other to claim your fund of (US$9.7M) which is now lying DORMANT and UNCLAIMED, below is the new account they have submitted:
                    BANK.-HSBC CANADA
                    Vancouver, CANADA
                    ACCOUNT NO. 2984-0008-66
 
Be further informed that this power of attorney also stated that you suffered and died of throat cancer. You are therefore given 24hrs to confirm the truth in this information, if you are still alive, you are to contact us back immediately, because we work 24 hrs just to ensure that we monitor all the activities going on in regards to the transfer of beneficiary? inheritance and contract payment.
You are to respond immediately for clarifications on this matter as we shall be available 24 hrs to attend to you and give you the necessary guidelines on how to ensure that your payment is wired to you immediately.
 
Please resend your Full Name Residential Address, Telephone Number, Mobile Number if any, Age and Marital Status. Core Job or Occupation, A valid form of identification Just also be informed that any further delay from your side could be dangerous, as we would not be held responsible of wrong payment.
 
 
YOURS TRULY
MR EDWARD CLEEFF/ MS MARY WILLIAMS
DIRECTOR OF PAYMENT/ SPECIAL DUTIES
WORLD BANK AUDITORS
EMAIL:mredwardcliff@accountant.com

Anti-fraud resources: