419 scam: "Ms Helen Brown" <info@imfoffice.com> INSTRUCTION TO RELEASE YOUR OVERDUE/CONTRACT FUND OF $USD4.8M

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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:
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
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.
- helen_browncod2@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Ms Helen Brown" <info@imfoffice.com>
Reply-To: helen_browncod2@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 06:01:14 -0400
Subject: INSTRUCTION TO RELEASE YOUR OVERDUE/CONTRACT FUND OF $USD4.8M

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
HEAD OFFICE NO:23 ADEBOYE ST,
APAPA LAGOS.
REF:-XVGNN8809

INSTRUCTION TO RELEASE YOUR OVERDUE/CONTRACT FUND OF $USD4.8M

This is to intimate you of a very important information which will be of a
great help to redeem you from all the difficulties you have been
experiencing in getting your long over due payment due to excessive demand
for money from you by both corrupt Bank officials and Courier Companies
after which your fund remain unpaid to you.

I am a highly placed official of the international Monetary Fund (IMF). It may
interest you to know that reports have reached our office by so many
correspondences on the uneasy way which people like you are treated by Various
Banks and Courier Companies/ Diplomat across Europe to Africa and Asia /London
Uk and we have decided to put a stop to that and that is why I was appointed
to handle your transaction here in Nigeria.

All Governmental and Non-Governmental prostates, NGOs, Finance
companies,Banks, Security Companies and Courier companies which have been
in contact with you of late have been instructed to back up from your
transaction and you have been advised NOT to respond to them anymore since
the IMF is now directly in charge of your payment.

You are hereby advised NOT to remit further payment to any institutions
with respect to your transaction as your fund will be transferred to you
directly from our source.I hope this is clear. Any action contrary to this
instruction is at your own risk. you are advise to respond immediately for
further details on how your fund $USD4.8M will be released into your designated
bank account.

If you agree to receive your fund $USD4.8M, Please for further information and
inquiries feel free to contact me back immediately for more explanation and
better understanding.

Please treat this Transaction with utmost confidentiality and send me the
following:

(1) Your Full Name:.................................
(2) Your Private Phone Number:.......................
(3) Your Current Residential Address:................
(4) Your Occupation:.................................
(5) Your Age:........................................
(6) Your Sex:........................................

Reply to;helen_browncod2@yahoo.com

Kind Regards,

Ms Helen Brown
I.M.F OFFICIAL

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam