419 scam: "International Monetary Fund (IMF)" <mackwhite30@peoplepc.com> FROM 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:

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:
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "cotonou" (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.
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.
- +22998143842 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- imf.beninrepublic@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "International Monetary Fund (IMF)" <mackwhite30@peoplepc.com>
Reply-To: "International Monetary Fund (IMF)" <imf.beninrepublic@yahoo.fr>
Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2011 16:40:14 +0200 (GMT+02:00)
Subject: FROM International Monetary Fund (IMF)

International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn
Managing Director
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
700 19th Street P/N Cotonou Benin.
Email (imf.beninrepublic@yahoo.fr )
Phone +229 -98143842

ATTN:Dear Beneficiary,

The Transfer arrangement with Money Gram Department did not progress due to MoneyGram Money Transfer cannot be able to get you the payment because of such larged amount did not to transfer by MoneyGram money transfer.

The MoneyGram methody was not clear due to the (I.M.F & others Authorities) did not granted the larged amount we are trying to get you by MoneyGram, Because of the larged amount I would like it to be sent to your bank account in you COUNTRY in amounts of $48,000 in each transfer untill you get the total funds of USD$3.5Million on your name, it is possible to wire the money into your account and avoid difficulties with the Authorities.

Please let me know if you like the idea, Note that $107 is the only cost you will bear to have the first $48000 payment into your account, this $107 charged is for the form we will use to deposit the money into your account. email me now and let me know if you will pay this $107 Form fee to have the first $48000 into your account. , I am very sure of what I said, and it is a promised. SEND 185USDollars VIA WESTERN UNION

Receiver name======== Nwabunwanne .C. Emmanuel
Country ============Benin Republic
City===============Port Novo
Test Question=========Color
Ans ===============Blue
Amount============= $107

Send it and get back to me with the payment info such as MTCN
I beleive that you will get $48000 clear into your account in 48hours.
Try send this court fee and email me with the MTCN & senders name.
Email (imf.beninrepublic@yahoo.fr)Thank You.

The IMF: Organization and Finances
Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn/Mr.Benson Jazzy Ejike
Managing Director Phone +229 -98143842/0022997304465
International Monetary Fund(IMF)

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam