419 scam: Osita Charles <richardharry0101@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:

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:
- "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.
- imfund70@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Osita Charles <richardharry0101@gmail.com>
Reply-To: imfund70@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 20:51:07 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: International Monetary Fund (IMF)

International Monetary Fund (IMF)
From Desk Of Mrs Christine Lagarde
Managing DirectorInternational Monetary Fund (IMF)
700 19th Street P/N Cotonou Benin.
Email ( imfund70@yahoo.com.hk
Attn, Beneficiary, 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 $48,000.00. in each transfer until you get the total funds of
USD$1.5Million 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 $97.00. is the only
cost you will pay r to have the first $48,000.00. payment into your account, this $97.00. 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 $97.00. Form and IMF fee to have the first $48,000.00. into your account.
I am very sure of what I said, and it is a promise.
SEND THE NEEDED $97.00. US Dollars VIA WESTERN UNION with below information

Receiver name========MICHAEL ENEMUO
Country ============Benin Republic
City===========Cotonou
Test Question===== What Color
Ans ===============Blue
Amount============= $97.00.

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 $97.00. fee and email me
with the MTCN & senders name.Thank You.
Regards
Mr Osita Charles
Email ( imfund70@yahoo.com.hk
The IMF: Organization and Finances
From Desk Of Mrs Christine Lagarde
Managing Director
International Monetary Fund(IMF)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam