419 scam: "Mr.MIKE BENN" <mrsmumasalim@yahoo.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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "money gram" (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.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a 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.internationalmnetary@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.MIKE BENN" <mrsmumasalim@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <imf.internationalmnetary@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:26:29 +0400
Subject: International Monetary Fund(IMF)

International Monetary Fund IMF
Mr. MIKE BENN
Managing Director
700 19th Street P/N Cotonou Benin.
Email {imf.internationalmnetary@gmail.com)

ATTN:Good Day Dear Customer

The Transfer arrangement with Money Gram Department did not progress due
to MoneyGram Money Transfer cannot be able to get you the payment because
of such larged amount did not to transfer by MoneyGram money transfer.

The MoneyGram methody was not clear due to the (I.M.F & others
Authorities) did not granted the larged amount we are trying to get you by
MoneyGram, Because of the larged amount I would like it to be sent to your
bank account in the USA in amounts of $58,000 in each transfer untill you
get the total funds of USD$4.8Million on 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 $159 is the only cost
you will bear to have the first $58000 payment into your account, this $159
charged is for the form we will use to deposit the money into your account.
email me now and let me know if you will pay this $159 Form fee to have the
first $58000 into your account. , I am very sure of what I said, and it is
a promised. SEND $159 USDollars VIA WESTERN UNION

Receiver name== Mr HYCIENT OBALIM
Country ===Benin Republic
City======COTONOU
Test Question===Port
Ans ====Novo
Amount==== $159

Send it and get back to me with the payment info such as MTCN
I beleive that you will get $58000 clear into your account in 48hours.
Try send this court fee and email me with the MTCN & senders name.
Email (imf.internationalmnetary@gmail.com)

Thank You.

The IMF: Organization and Finances
Mr.MIKE BENN
Managing Director
International Monetary Fund(IMF)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam