419 scam: "linabodo26@gmail.com" <linabodo26@gmail.com> Payment Approved

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "certificate fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million us 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)
- "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.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447833439428
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- info.europeaninvestbankplc.eib@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "linabodo26@gmail.com" <linabodo26@gmail.com>
Reply-To: info.europeaninvestbankplc.eib@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2023 21:35:37 -0700
Subject: Payment Approved

IMF Headquarters. 700 19th Street, Washington D.C. 20431
TEL/FAX: +1-989-340-8137
Website: www.imf.org
C/O Bernard Lauwers

Pay attention to the email owner.

This is to let you know that your pending payment is among those
approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in collaboration
with the World Bank. Delayed release of funds as a result of
transactions with unauthorized individuals or unawareness of current
funds and their value. We encourage you to stop any further contact
with any other person or institution regarding your payment.
Please note that these funds are outstanding insurance, annuities,
contract sums, inheritance/next of kin, lottery beneficiaries and
originate from Europe, Asia, Middle East, America and Africa. You are
on the list of individuals and companies authorized to pay outstanding
funds under the supervision of the International Monetary Fund
Headquarters in Washington, DC, USA. We would also like to use this
medium to inform you that all of your funds have been deposited with
the European Investment Partnership Bank in the UK where you can rest
assured that you will receive your funds.
Please contact your Approved Paying Bank within 48 hours of receiving
this notice. The amount deposited with (EIB) on your behalf is 2.5
Million US Dollars (2.500,000.00 USD) and all necessary information
about the funds is kept confidential for security reasons and to avoid
double charges. Provided. by a bank manager. Please contact your bank
representative at the email address below.

Email address: info.europeaninvestbankplc.eib@gmail.com
The bank manager's name is Dr. Wilson Taylor.
Phone or WhatsApp: +44 7833439428
Website: www.eib.org
Director: International Operations/Remittance

When contacting the European Investment Partnership Bank, please
verify your name with the bank so that they can verify that you are
the rightful owner of unclaimed funds deposited by IMF officials.
Note: The only payment required to claim funds at your bank is the IMF
Ownership Clearance Certificate fee. This certificate is an
authorization authorizing you to receive the above amounts in your
designated bank account without delay or additional costs.
On behalf of the IMF (International Monetary Fund), I would like to
once again apologize for the delay in disbursement of funds which,
according to system records, have been long overdue.

Thank you for your understanding.

Very truly yours,
Mr. Bernard Lauwers
Finance manager
(IMF) official

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam