419 scam: "IMF WORLD REGULATORY OFFICE"<imfpayoffice@gmail.com> Re: Your Funds Release

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "affidavit of claim" (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. )
- "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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.
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.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "IMF WORLD REGULATORY OFFICE" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 19:13:03 -0700
Subject: Re: Your Funds Release - Payment

IMF WORLD REGULATORY OFFICE
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS REGULATORY AUTHORITY
INTER-CONTINENTAL DEBT RECONCILIATION DEPT.
FROM THE DESK OF: HONORABLE JONATHAN PALMER
DIRECTOR; IMF World Regulatory Office.

ATTENTION:PROVISION OF AFFIDAVIT OF CLAIM CERTIFICATE FOR LEGAL COVER/ PROTECTION OF US$15.5M IN YOUR FAVOUR.

We hereby officially notify you about the present arrangement to pay you,your over due contract/Inheritance fund valued at $15,500,000.00 through (Master ATM CARD). This arrangement was initiated/constituted by the World Bank and Paris Club, due to the fraudulent activities going on within the African Region.

The World Bank and Paris Club introduced this payment arrangement to enable contractors/inheritance beneficiary to receive their fund without any interference. The Master Card was contracted and powered by GOLD CARD WORLD WIDE.

After the meeting we had today, we have reduced the payment for the clearance certificate for your funds to $75.00 so that you can meet up with the payment. You have 24hrs to make this payment so that we can instruct our paying bank to load your Master ATM CARD with your $15.5m and dispatch it you to enable you withdraw your money gradually from any ATM machine around the world. You have suffered enough and we want you to know that you have come to the end of the road and your funds must be released to you as soon as you make payment for the clearance certificate today. We are assuring you that this is the only and last payment. We advice you to pay the $75 through western union money transfer or Moneygram with the information below;

NAME: EMA OHI
TEXT QUESTION: GOOD
TEXT ANSWER: BEST
AMOUNT: $75
ADDRESS: LAGOS STATE NIGERIA

Upon the receipt of the payment slip of the $75.00 for the clearance certificate, we are going to instruct our paying bank to load your fund into the Master Express Credit Card and dispatch it to you immediately. CONGRATULATIONS IN ADVANCE.

Best Regards,
Jonathan Palmer

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam