419 scam: "$I.M.F$ Head Office" <davidwhite20001@gmail.com> RE

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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "cashier's check" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +447045702097 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- willson.henry@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "$I.M.F$ Head Office" <davidwhite20001@gmail.com>
Reply-To: willson.henry@rocketmail.com
Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2012 11:19:41 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: RE

(I.M.F) Head Office
Broad Oak Road,Accrington,
Lancashire,BB5 2AW.
UNITED KINGDOM

REF:-XVGNN82010

Attention; Beneficiary,

This is to inform you that the BILL GATE FOUNDATION in collaboration with INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) has awarded you cash payment in line with IMF economic compensations program.

I am Mr. David White, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in charge of payment approval for your zone. It may interest you to know that your name and e-mail appeared in our payment schedule list of beneficiaries that will receive their Stimulus funds in this Middle term payment of the year. This payment of the sum of US$1.8 Million (One Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) awarded as compensation to all those loyal citizens who have lost investment in shares failure and other financial loses as a result of financial malpractices.

Now your new Payment, IMF Approval number No; IMF5685P, Reference No.-35460021, Allocation No: 674632 Password No: 339331, (IMF) Telex confirmation No: -1114433; Secret Code No: XXTN013.

Having received these vital payment numbers, therefore you are qualified now to receive a Direct cash payment from IMF accredited bank in this Region within the next 168hrs. We assure you that your cashier's check shall be sent to you direct as long as you follow my directives and instructions. We have decided to give you a CODE, THE CODE IS: 601. For verification of claims and to avoid double claims.

You are hereby advised to contact the Director of payment operation with IMF accredited bank official. Send your reply (Mr. Henry Willson) with e-mail (willson.henry@rocketmail.com) for the immediate processing of your fund transfer. Remember to quote your (CODE 601) for identification of beneficiary.

Direct Hot-line: Call: +44 704 570 2097.

Thanks,
Mr. David White (I.M.F).

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam