419 scam: "Mr.Mcfadden Collins" <Public.relations@imf.org> International Monetary Fund

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "habibsonsbk-alexjefferson@boscoite.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +447035938495 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- habibsons.customer.account@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Mcfadden Collins" <Public.relations@imf.org>
Reply-To: habibsonsbk-alexjefferson@boscoite.com
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:57:19 -0400 (CLT)
Subject: International Monetary Fund

--
Dear sir/madam,
There is an issue with the International Monetary Fund, the sum of
850,000GBP was credited with Serial No: XZPY/225954782349 directed in
cash, your email address was tagged the owner. The International monetary
fund (IMF) contacted Habibsons Bank, United Kingdom for your compensation
a couple of hours ago due to your allocated serial and reference number.
You are required to fill the details below to affect the immediate
transfer of your funds:

1. Full Names:
2. Address:
3. Age:.
4. Sex:
5. Marital Status:.
6. Telephone Number:
7. Nationality:
8. Country of Residence:
9. Postal code:
10. Short comment on your Occupation:.

In order to continue transaction, please contact:

THE HABIBSONS BANK PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
Mr. Alex Jefferson.Jr
Email>>habibsonsbk-alexjefferson@boscoite.com
Email>>habibsons.customer.account@gmail.com
Office tel: +44-703-593-8495
Fax: +44-703-593-8496

With regards,
Mr. McFadden Collins
The International Monetary Fund Public relations...

"This message and any attachments are solely for the owner of this email and
may contain confidential or privileged information.If you are not the intended
recipient, any disclosure, copying,use, or distribution of the information
included in this message and any attachments is prohibited. If you have
received this communication in error, please notify us by reply e-mail and
immediately and permanently delete this message and any attachments. Thank
you."

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam