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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 Larry Ellis (I.M.F)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.larryellis.dpt@citromail.hu>
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2020 19:14:59 +0300
Subject: Att: Kindly Get Back At Me Immedaitely.

To Your Very Kind Attention: Fund Owner.
The IMF Board of Trustees,after due verification have instructed me to contact you in respect of payment re-activation to your nominated account.Your payment credentials have been released and your payment release code is B601.
Your part payment inheritance fund is One Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars USD$1.5 Million. Having received these vital payment numbers, therefore you are qualified now to received and confirm your payment with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) American Region immediately within the next 24hrs. 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: 601.
Please, any time you receive a mail with the name Mr Ellis Larry , check if there is CODE (B601) if the code is not written, please delete the massage from your box! 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 Mr Larry ellis on this e-mail(info.larryellis2020@gmail.com) with immediate effect and we shall give you further details on how your fund will be released.
Regards,
Mr Larry Ellis (I.M.F)
 

Anti-fraud resources: