419 scam: "DIANE JONES"<dianejones.info@gmail.com> 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:
- "million united state 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
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.
- finance_house_head_office@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "DIANE JONES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <finance_house_head_office17@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:55:41 -0400
Subject: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND(IMF)

II AM MRS DIANE JONES.I OWNED TWO OIL WELL AND ONE REFINERY.i am
married to MR DON ANDERSON. he works with the UNITED NATIONS
GOVERMENT.

I buy your guts and courage to be more conscious when it come's to
case like this, it is normal you get protective over such issue as you
never knows how real it is.

I am a reputable man of high and international standard, it will be so
discrediting to my credibility if this was a scam or what so ever you
call it.It is a shame today that so many people have them self involve
in such barbaric attitude but am happy that i am a legitimate business
man and clean minded and also have the fear of God in what so ever am
doing in life.

The Almighty lord do not create me out to this world to cheat or
deceive people of interest out of their money so i will reject been
such ever in my life.I am a knight in my church I worship as a good
Christian, if i had ever thought of scamming people i think God would
not have elevated me to this standard which i am now.

I PARTNERED WITH MICROSOFT INTERNET FOR AN INVESTMENT PROGRAMME WHICH
WAS VERY SUCCESFULL AND PROSPERIOUS.I HAVE TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO
MICROSOFT INTERNET, SO IDECIDED TO COMPENSATE MICROSOFT INTERNET LUCKY
WINNER WITH THE SUM OF 2,000,000 UNITED STATE DOLLARS TO ENCOURAGE
PEOPLE TO USED THE INTERNET DAILY. I AM CURRENTLY IN PARAGUAY FOR
ANOTHER INVESTMENT PROJECT. IT WAS MADE EASY AND SUCCESFULL WITH THE
HELP OF MICROSOFT INTERNET.

Due to your effort, using the internet programs indoor and in your
office,I want to compensate you and show microsoft gratitude to you
with the sum of $2,000,000 dollars ( TWO MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS
) because your email address emerge as one of
the lucky winners to be compensated.

After this automated computer ballot, your e-mail address emerged as a
winner in the category "A" with the following numbers attached Ref
Number: EH 9590 OGSO.I have authorized the finance house where I
deposited my money to issue you international certified bank draft
cashable at your bank. assist your in getting your compensation check
across to you.

It is a real your cheque and you can cash it in any bank of your
choice in your country. The cheque has been put under a hard cover
parcel for security reasons.

CONTACT COMPENSATION AND FINANCE HOUSE FOR YOUR CHEQUE OF 850,000 DOLLARS.

EMAIL: finance_house_head_office@yahoo.co.jp
NAME; MR JOSEPH AYALA

My sincere advice to you as a christian is that you should endeavour
to pay your tithe to a bible believing church when you get the prize
and try to help the less previledge ones in your country, by donating
to the orphanage homes.

YOURS SINCERELY

MRS DIANE JONES

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam