419 scam: "Dr. KENNETH THOMAS" <iko_goya@yahoo.co.jp> ATTN: FROM 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. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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 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.
- +22968945517 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. KENNETH THOMAS" <iko_goya@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: "Dr. KENNETH THOMAS" <kenneththomas135@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 2015 23:08:52 +0900 (JST)
Subject: ATTN: FROM INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE
NATIONAL HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY COMPLEX
SENATE HOUSE - UPPER CHAMBERS WUSE
DISTRICT, COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC .

ATTN: FROM INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)

Notification from International Monetary Funds, My name is Dr. Kenneth Thomas I am the Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) I am writing on behalf of(IMF) just to let you know that the formal arrangement to get you your funds of $8.3 million usd was not clear because of difficulties with authorities. Your Funds delivery arrangement does not any more allowed by such company mention bellow ( Western Union Money Transfer or Money-Gram Money Transfer or Courier Delivery Company) The International Monetary of and Lawyer's Chamber have canceled those company because of their disappointed to peoples after collecting fees from them, the arrangement with such company has failed due to difficult with authorities on getting you the consignment through such three company stated bellowed ( Western Union Money Transfer or Money-Gram Money Transfer or Any types of Courier) please stop any cooperation with them to avoid scam you as they will not send you any
thing in return, they are not any more in-charge of your consignment box because of your funds is not any more in their control, Please stop contact with any western union or Money-Gram, Diplomatic or Courier.

We have booked the payment assignment with Central Bank to start deposit the funds on your account, Because of the large amount The International Monetary Funds & Lawyer's Chamber have arrange to pay you the total funds with assignment of CENTRAL BANK whom will work it out together with WORLD BANK to make sure that you have the total funds on your account by receiving $48,000 usd on each payment, as of now you are free to have the funds into your account. Because of the large amount you are going to receive $48,000 on each transfer, I would like it to be sent to your bank account in amounts of $48,000 usd in each deposit' it is possible to avoid difficulties with the Authorities.We have now track with CENTRAL BANK and they told us that the payment will start as soon as possible after renewing the payments files, to renew the payment files will cost you only $98 after that we shall obtain the DEPOSIT FORM to get the fund to your account,

Meanwhile the $98 is the only cost you will bear to renew the payment file to enable us obtain CENTRAL BANK DEPOSIT FORM to have the fund transfer into your account, each transfer will clear into your account in 12 hours, Remember that you will receive $48,000.00 daily until paid in full,so try and send $98 and I will take care of the balance. The first payment of $48,000 will soon be in your account if possible you sent this $98 for the renew to enable us obtain the CENTRAL BANK DEPOSIT FORM which I will use to deposit the funds into your account.

Please reconfirm your Bank details.

Your Full Banking Details to avoid wrong Transfer Such as:

Your Mobile Phone Number----
Direct telephone Number----
Bank Name:--
Bank Address:--
Account Number:--
Account Name:---
Routing Number:--

BELLOW IS THE INFORMATION TO SEND $98 BY WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM

Receiver's Name:_____FELIS IKE
Country: _____________Benin Republic
City_________________Cotonou
Code:_______________00229
Text Question:______Code
Answer :____________229
Amount:____________$98
Senders Name_______
Sender's Mobile Phone Number____
MTCN Numbers_______

Regards.

The IMF: Organization and Finances
Dr.Kenneth Thomas Phone +229-6894-5517
Managing Director International Monetary Fund(IMF)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam