Hyderabad: Frauds Pose as IMF Officials in Fresh Scam
It goes on to allege that the money has already “arrived” in Houston, Texas, packaged as a sealed consignment trunk. A so-called “diplomatic agent” named Christian Williams is listed with a U.S. phone number and email ID for further contact.
Hyderabad: A fresh email scam has surfaced in which fraudsters are impersonating the officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the African Union (AU), luring citizens with promises of multi-million-dollar “compensation.”
The scam mails are sent under the subject line ‘IMF/AU victim compensation program’ and claim that the recipient has been selected to receive $10.5 million as restitution for past losses. The email states: “Following recent investigations and the arrest of several cybercrime syndicates operating along the East African coast, your name and contact details were identified in records recovered from the perpetrators. As a result, you have been listed among the eligible beneficiaries approved for compensation.”
It goes on to allege that the money has already “arrived” in Houston, Texas, packaged as a sealed consignment trunk. A so-called “diplomatic agent” named Christian Williams is listed with a U.S. phone number and email ID for further contact.
A senior officer explained the bait-and-switch method behind the fraud. “The email does not demand payment up front. Instead, the scammer waits for victims to respond. Once contact is made, they gradually impose charges and clearance fees, making the victim believe they will receive the money. People pay, thinking the huge promised sum will eventually come through,” the officer said.
Cyber crime DCP D. Kavitha said the scam follows a familiar pattern. “Right now, they are only asking for basic details like name, phone number and postal address. Once someone responds, the fraudsters will collect more information and escalate demands,” she said.
She added that similar scams had earlier used Colombian institutions or government schemes such as the PM Kisan Yojana to lure victims. “Those cases had reduced, but this pattern is resurfacing. Nobody is paying anybody money for free. Citizens must stay cautious and never engage,” she warned. Citizens have been advised to delete such emails immediately and report suspicious activity at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
