419 scam: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IMF <online1220924@telkomsa.net> YOUR OUTSTANDING PAYMENT NOTIFICATION. FROM (I.M.F) OFFICE.

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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:
- "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)
- "million 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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IMF <online1220924@telkomsa.net>
Reply-To: internationalmonetaryfund.imf5@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 11:01:36 +0200 (SAST)
Subject: YOUR OUTSTANDING PAYMENT NOTIFICATION. FROM (I.M.F) OFFICE.

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
DEPT: WORLD DEBT RECONCILIATION AGENCIES.
ABUJA, NIGERIA.

Attention; Beneficiary,

We have been trying to contact you, your email appeared ( in the Central Computer among the list of unpaid contractors, inheritance next of kin and lotto beneficiaries that was originated from Africa, Europe, Asia Plus Middle east, Americans ) among the list of individuals and companies that have not receive their fund. Your fund US$11 Million Dollars (ELEVEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) which was deposited with Bank PHB Plc, Lagos, Nigeria, have been approved for immediate transfer into your Bank Account, please kindly re-confirm the following information immediately;

Full Name:....................
Address:......Country.........
Telephone Number:.............
Date Of Birth:......Age.......
Occupation:...................
Company Name If Any:..........

We await to hear from you soonest.

Regards,
Dr. David J. Obi,
Office of the IMF Abuja,
Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam