419 scam: "Federal Ministry of Financ" <info@mail.tw> Your Financial Approvement

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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:
- "million 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Federal Ministry of Financ" <info@mail.tw>
Reply-To: bellousmanbello111@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:03:33 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Your Financial Approvement

24th, Augustine 2010

Dear

REF: PAYMENT RELEASE INSTRUCTION VIA ATM CARD WITHDRAW METHOD OR BANK TO
BANK WIRE TRANSFER FOR A PARTIAL PAYMENT RELEASE OF $4,500,000.00 USD

I am Mr Olusegun Aganga The new Minister of Finance under the new-elected
Mr. President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. By virtue of my position as the
head of the Nigeria's financial sector, I have irrevocably instructed the
Central Bank of Nigeria to send in all contract and inheritance payment
files to my office for vetting and verification before fund release
instruction can be effected. However, all other offices that has anything
to do with your fund have been instructed to stop all transactions until I
conclude with my investigation.

Meanwhile, as a former Deputy Governor, Operations at the Central Bank of
Nigeria and being a versatile banker of repute with about 10 years
experience in the financial sector, I am aware of all the corrupt
practices of some CBN officials who are in the habit of extorting money
from foreign beneficiaries under the pretense of assisting such
beneficiary.

To this effect, I am prepared to give all the necessary advice and
assistance on the new payment policy to be adopted by the CBN for 2010
fiscal year for all financial transactions under the current President
Jonathan Ebele Goodluck administration. The new payment method is by atm
money withdraw or Bank to bank wire transfer, which will be done on your
behalf by the Central Bank of Nigeria in the amount of $4.5 million
dollars being a partial payment release. Please take note that I have come
to the Finance Ministry to clean up the system and ensure efficiency in
our payment system.

Please note that the Federal Ministry of Finance is responsible for the
management and control of all finances of the Federal Government as
prescribed by the constitution of the country and the only constituted
body to make any payment on behalf of the government

For this reason, you are advised to get back to my office immediately to
confirm the below details

1) YOUR FULL NAME:
2) ADDRESS, CITY, STATE AND COUNTRY.
3) PHONE, FAX AND MOBILE
4) COMPANY NAME (IF ANY) POSITION AND ADDRESS
5) PROFESSION, AGE AND MARITAL STATUS
6) COPY OF YOUR INT'L PASSPORT/DRIVERS LICENSE
7) YOUR NEXT OF KIN IF ANY

Yours Sincerely,

Mr.Olusegun Aganga
Honorable Minister of Finance
www.fmf.gov.ng

Anti-fraud resources:

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