IMF Warns Of Fraudulent E-Mails and Financial Scams Misusing Its Name

IMF Warns Of Fraudulent E-Mails and Financial Scams Misusing Its Name
 
Press Release No. 06/154
July 14, 2006
 
The Finance Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)today issued the following statement to warn the public about fraudulent e-mail messages and financial scams misusing the name of the IMF:
 
"A recent increase in deceptive schemes designed to defraud members of the public and potential investors has prompted the IMF to repeat its warning about any unsolicited e-mail or other unsolicited communications purportedly originating from, or implying an affiliation with, the IMF.
 
"The IMF does not send any unsolicited business communications to individuals. The IMF is an intergovernmental organization that conducts its financial transactions directly and exclusively with its member countries. The IMF does not operate through other agents nor endorse the activities of any bank, financial institution, or other public or private agency.
"The IMF has learned of various forms of identity fraud and financial fraud involving the unauthorized use of the IMF's name and emblem. This includes `phishing' attacks, in which the names of IMF officials have been misused to deceive recipients into disclosing personal financial information, and `spoofing' attempts, in which a false copy of the IMF website had been created with false contact information, to mislead potential users.
 
"The IMF warns the public against various forms of cross-border fraud, investment fraud, advanced fee scams and similar scams (sent by e-mail or hard copy letter) in which the IMF's name has been fraudulently used to induce potential investors. The IMF wishes to stress that it is neither the author of, nor in any other way associated with, such fraudulent activities. The IMF does not issue or guarantee any obligations called "Prime Bank Notes," "Prime Bank Guarantees," "Bill of Exchange" or the like, nor does it extend any credit lines through commercial banks or other agencies. Moreover, the IMF does not guarantee debentures or other financial instruments issued by a member country or any other entity. It does not sponsor investment programs, "high-yield financial programs" or issue to countries or to outside parties an "IMF number," "IMF Country Registration Number", or the like.

Please forward suspicious communications to the relevant law enforcement authorities and to "IMF Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20431" or publicaffairs@imf.org ."
 
For similar IMF warnings, see News Brief Number 96/14 of November 18, 1996.

I have been getting emails from the IMF and the United Nations for years
and all were (are) linked to a scam..
 I use to report them, and now I figure it is just easier to delete them and go on with my day, because with all the reporting I did, nothing stopped them from coming threw

I all so get them from ATT - Fed ex - UPS - citi bank - Wells Fargo - and even the United States postal service

Just be smart and stop and think before you act when you get emails that look strange, or seem to good to be true.

I got bored a few years ago and LO and behold I got a scam email from the UK. they Were trying to get me to give them bank account info because they claimed I had Millions of dollars Held with them  in my name SO I strung them along till I was get bored again and then I emailed them and told them SHAME ON YOU FOR TRYING TO GET MONEY FROM HARD WORKING PEOPLE THAT JUST WERE LOOKING FOR A DREAM TO SAVE THEM AND GIVE THEM FREEDOM FROM THE RAT RACE

But I never gave any information, not even my name....

You would be amazed ... I actually disagree there are people still trying to scam folks by e-mail every day. I checked by spam folder the other day and found six of various flavors in there.

I didnt say that there wasn't people out there trying to scam people I just said that wasn't my purpose of the post...I know there are sitll stupid things in EMAIL, I like the two of you just don't pay attention to them.  I am just hoping that Tony's bull falls under this post by the IMF and that it has bearing on what happens in the future

I hear you, but don't count on it ...