419 scam: "HOWARD WILLIAMS III" <info@inf.org> Re:Investigation Bureau (Very Urgent)

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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:
- "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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
- +447031936356 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.bbank@london.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- bank 1-2 churchill palace london - england. email:info.bbank@london.com ( or ) info.treasurydept.bbank@gmail.com tel: (London; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "HOWARD WILLIAMS III" <info@inf.org>
Reply-To: howardwilliams.imf001@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:59:14 -0100
Subject: Re:Investigation Bureau (Very Urgent)

International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Investigation Bureau,
700 19th Street, N.W,
Washington, D.C. 20431 USA.

RE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) OUTSTANDING REMITTANCE

We the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Investigation Bureau Washington, DC
in conjunction with some other relevant Investigation Agencies here in the
United states of America have recently been informed through our Global
intelligence monitoring network that you presently having transaction going on
with Bank of Africa (CBN) as regards to Your over-due contract payment which
was fully endorsed in your favor accordingly, this message has gotten to you
before now to quit every transaction you are having with bank of Africa and
contact Mr.BENOIT DE VITRY at Barclays bank Plc, where your fund is presently.

However having sought the consent of the Federal Bureau of Intelligence,FBI
and the British Scotland Yard,the Government of Nigeria,Ghana and other west
African states have agreed to compensate you with the immediate release of
US$10,000,000.You have being issued an Enquiry Notification
Code:FBI/267489/US-08ZZ/12.

WE very closely detail you to desist from further communication with any
office other than the assigned herein as our security agencies closely monitor
this development.You are to quote the above Enquiry Notification Code to
BARCLAYS BANK LONDON for immediate release and dispatch of your raised
International Certified Bank Draft to your address.This draft is instantly
cashed on presentation to your Bank or any Barclays Bank branch closest to you.

We were also made to understand that a lady with name Mrs. Joan C.Bailey from
OHIO has already contacted them and also presented to them all the necessary
documentationâ€™s evidencing your claim purported to have been signed personally
by you prior to the release of your transactional fund valued at about
US$10,000,000.00 (Ten Million United States Dollars.),but the BARCLAYS BANK
LONDON - ENGLAND did the wise thing by insisting on hearing from you
personally before they go ahead with the dispatch of the raised draft .You are
to confirm if you actually presented Mrs J.C Bailey. the payment has not yet
been approved to her until they hear from you.

Should you be dealing with anybody or office claiming to be from the BARCLAYS
BANK LONDON, you are further advised to STOP further contact with them in
your best interest and then contact immediately the real office of the
BARCLAYS BANK LONDON only
with the below informationâ€™s accordingly:

NAME: BENOIT DE VITRY
BARCLAYS BANK
1-2 CHURCHILL PALACE
LONDON - ENGLAND.
EMAIL:info.bbank@london.com ( or )
info.treasurydept.bbank@gmail.com
TEL: +44-7031-9363-56
FAX:+44709284282

Do contact me immediately so that i will re-confirm to you the official bank
website and e-mail address where you are to e-mail Mr. Phil Brown to further
instruct and direct him on where you want your Draft to be delivered.

Best Regards,
HOWARD WILLIAMS III
International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Anti-fraud resources:

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