419 scam: info@covid19.org COVID -19 RELEIF FUND

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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 united states 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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: info@covid19.org
Reply-To: habibbanksouthafrica@yandex.com
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2020 00:25:06 +1100
Subject: COVID -19 RELEIF FUND

Attn:

You have been chosen as a beneficiary of the IMF Wealth Distribution Scheme under the auspices of the World Bank , this scheme is to cushion the effect of the present economic melt down caused by COVID-19 which is currently ravaging the world, the IMF /World Bank has approved the sum of $10,000,000.00 (Ten Million United States Dollars) to enable you expand your business/company to boost the economy of your country.

The IMF enlisted you as a beneficiary after thorough consultation with the US Department of the Treasury , you are among five hundred beneficiaries to be empowered by this scheme.

You are to provide your Address, Direct telephone number and a copy of your identification to enable us proceed.

Ruben Crossbridge
Head of Operations
IMF Wealth Distribution Scheme

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam