419 scam: "Debts Settlement Committee"<fmf.nig.gov@sify.com> APPROVED AND ISSUED

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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:
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
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.
- +2348084420520 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Debts Settlement Committee" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fmf.gov.nigeria@sify.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2014 01:05:40 -0800
Subject: APPROVED AND ISSUED

Dear beneficiary,

Your payment has been resolved at last. It is my pleasure to announce to you that the Debts Settlement Committee recently set up by the Federal Government Of Nigeria, has issued an ATM-VISA cash card with respect to your owed funds.

This process is to cut off all delays associated with bank transfers and also it is in line with the cashless policy stipulated by the world bank and IMF.

Your card shall be registered with a courier/shipping company subject to your confirmation of your info below :

NAMES IN FULL:-------------------------

PRESENT ADDRESS:-------------------------------

PHONE/FAX:-----------------------------

NEAREST LOCAL/INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:---

Thank you

Governor Mu'azu Aliyu Babangida

Chairman, Debts sttlement Committee

Tel: +2348084420520

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam