419 scam: "REV. TOBIAS TERRY" <trustbnk973@gmail.com> IMF WORLD REGULATORY OFFICE INTERNATIONAL FUNDS REGULATORY AUTHORIT

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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:
- "insurance fee " (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. )
- "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. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
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.
- +22968675118 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "REV. TOBIAS TERRY" <trustbnk973@gmail.com>
Reply-To: internationalmonitary_fundbeninr@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:37:17 +0100 (BST)
Subject: IMF WORLD REGULATORY OFFICE INTERNATIONAL FUNDS REGULATORY AUTHORIT

IMF WORLD REGULATORY OFFICE
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS REGULATORY AUTHORIT
INTER-CONTINENTAL DEBT RECONCILIATION DEPT.

Urgent Attention:B

No#( 811)

Be informed that we have finalize everything concerning your payment, you can now make a withdrew of $5,000 as soon as the Atm Card delivered to you by tomorrow.

However, it is the pleasure of this office to inform you that Master Card Number;5428050011004432 has been approved and upgraded in your favour. Meanwhile, your Secret Pin Number is 6742.The ATM Card Value is US$10.7 Million Only.

Note that a maximum withdrawal value of US$5,000.00 is permitted daily. And we are duly inter-switched and you can make withdrawal in any location of the Master Center of your choice/nearest to you. We have also concluded delivery arrangement with our accredited courier service Company to be fully insured and also oversee the delivery of the ATM Card to you without any further delay as soon as you send the money to them.

In view of this development, you are requested to immediately offset the Insurance charges of $199. via western union through the courier company payment receiving officer stated below.

RECEIVER'S NAME: JEVISO DAVID
ADDRESS: COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC
TEXT QUESTION: GOOD
ANSWER: LUCK
DELIVERY & INSURANCE FEE: $199

Call me as soon as you send the money and give me the MTCN Number to this office for the money to be picked up. Be informed that delivery will be made to your address; USA, within 48 hours of our confirmation of this payment. Be aware that the delivery fee receipt will be attached to your payment delivery documents to avoid being delayed by the customs. And be informed that your valid I.D card must be presented to the dispatchers before release will be done to you to avoid wrong delivery. So send your I.D via attachment so that we can view it very clear.

Advice this office of your preferred time of visitation to insure so that we can inform the courier service Company.

Treat as very urgent, as we also remind you once again that your Master Card is ready. Find below attached a copy of the guarantee certificate and a copy of your Master card .

Go ahead and send the insurance fee of $199. immediately so that the courier service will move immediately.

Looking forward to receive western union payment information from you.

REV. TOBIAS TERRY
MY MOBILE PHONE:+229-6867-5118
CALL ME AS SOON AS YOU SEND THE MONEY OK.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam