419 scam: I M F OFFICE <informail282@gmail.com> YOUR TRANSFER IS READY.

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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. )
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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.
- +22968024408 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: I M F OFFICE <informail282@gmail.com>
Reply-To: I M F OFFICE <Aquinotomas@t-online.de>
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2015 03:59:01 +0900 (JST)
Subject: YOUR TRANSFER IS READY.

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 approved 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 dollar on each payment, as now you
are free to have the funds into your account. Because of the larges
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 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 $75, after that we shall obtain the
DEPOSIT FORM to get the fund to your account, meanwhile $75 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 12hours, Remember that
you will receive $48 000.00 daily until paid in full, your try send
$75 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 $75 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
account.

SEND $75 US DOLLARS BY WESTERN UNION TO THIS ADDRESS

Receiver Name: _____________ John Ogene
Receivers Country: ______________ Benin Republic
City: ______________ Cotonou
Text Question: _____ A
Text Answer: ____ B
Amount: ___ $75
Senders Name: _____________
MTCN : ________

Your urgent reply is needed.

Thank You.
The IMF: Organization and Finances
Mr. James L Brown
Phone +229-6802-4408
Managing Director
International Monetary Fund(IMF)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam