419 scam: "FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE" <sejong@miraebd.net> 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. )
- "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.
- +22999365360 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE" <sejong@miraebd.net>
Reply-To: internationalmonetaryfund09644@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:16:09 +0300
Subject: ATTN: FROM INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)

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

ATTN: FROM INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)

Notification from International Monetary Funds, My name is Mrs.CHRISTINE
LAGARDE 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
$159 after that we shall obtain the DEPOSIT FORM to get the fund to your
account,

Meanwhile the $159 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 $159 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
$159 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 email address:---
Your Mobile Phone Number----
Direct telephone Number----
Bank Name:--
Bank Address:--
Account Number:--
Account Name :---
Routing Number:--

BELLOW IS THE INFORMATION TO SEND $159 BY WESTERN UNION ONLY.

Receiver's Name:_____HARRY OFFOR .
Country:_____________Benin Republic
City_________________Cotonou
Code:_______________00229
Text Question:______Year?
Answer :____________2015
Amount:____________$159
Senders Name_______
Sender's Mobile Phone Number____
MTCN Numbers_______

Regards.

The IMF: Organization and Finances
Mrs.CHRISTINE LAGARDE Phone +229-99365360
Managing Director International Monetary Fund(IMF)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam