419 scam: "Amos John" <amos.john07@gmail.com> (International Monetary Fund (IMF)

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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- imf_monitoring20@yahoo.com.tr (Yahoo, Turkey; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Amos John" <amos.john07@gmail.com>
Reply-To: imf_monitoring20@yahoo.com.tr
Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2011 10:43:59 -0500
Subject: (International Monetary Fund (IMF)

(International Monetary Fund (IMF)
MrsJohn

Managing Director
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
700 19th Street P/N Cotonou Benin.
Email (imf_monitoring20@yahoo.com.tr)
Attn ,

The Transfer arrangement with WESTERN UNION Department Benin Republic
did not progress due to western union Money Transfer cannot be able to send your payment because such large amount of money can not been to transfered by western union money transfer without firm requirement that is required by this
department.

The western union method was not clear due to the (I.M.F & others Authorities) did not granted the large amount you were trying to get through western union, Because of the large amount I would like it to be transfered to your bank account in your country in amounts of $48,000 in each transfer until you get the total funds of USD$2.8Million in your name, it is possible to wire the money into your account and avoid difficulties with the Authorities.

Please let me know if you like the idea, Note that $62 is the only cost you will pay r to have the first $48,000 payment into your account, this $62.00. charges is for the Form and IMF Certificate we will use to deposit the money into your account. email me now and
let me know if you will send this $62.00. Form and IMF fee to have the first $48000 into your account.

I am very sure of what I said, and it is a promise. SEND tTHE NEEDED 62 US Dollars VIA WESTERN UNION with below information

Receiver name========IKE ALEX
Country ============Benin Republic
City===============Port Novo
Test Question=========Color
Ans ===============Blue
Amount============= $62.00.

Send it and get back to me with the payment info such as MTCN I gave you full guarantee that you will get your $48,000 clear into your account within 48hours./
Try send this $62.00. fee and email me with the MTCN & senders name.

Thank You.
Email { imf_monitoring20@yahoo.com.tr)

The IMF: Organization and Finances
Mrs John

Managing Director
International Monetary Fund(IMF)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam