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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mansur Muhtar" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fmfngov@minister.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 05:17:58 +0100
Subject: Funds Transfer

Letter From: Dr. Mansur Muhtar
Finance Minister
Land Line: +234 9 4841707
D/L: +234 805 335 3343
E-fax: +1 206-666-5731
Profile: http://www.fmf.gov.ng/FMF_HMF_Profile.aspx

Dear,

It is my pleasure to inform you that the Federal Government of Nigeria is not happy that your fund has lingered for so long. The government is not happy that you have spent so much money in the hands of criminals who act in disguise as government officials. We have had cases of victims coming down to Nigeria to ascertain the true position of their payment.

Recently, we had a report submitted to us by the FBI, Homeland security where your name has been mentioned of criminals who pose to work the government contacting you for your payment. The report had it of some criminals who pose to either pay you through cash delivery, bank check, bonds, ATM cards, even online banking. Unknowingly, you have fallen into their traps and have spent so much money in getting your payment. Till moment, nothing has happened.

We are also aware that some of these criminals who use common email addresses are still contacting you as regards to your payment. Having said all this, I will advise you to stop all communication, which is if you will agree and follow my instructions. I am the Finance Minister and am writing you through my official email address. I have the mandate to contact you from the Presidency based on the fact that we want to put a stop to these discrepancies and make sure your payment is made to you.

We will listen to you; we will guide you, confirm the following details and also send a copy to fmfngov@minister.com

Your full names
Your contact numbers
The amount you are expecting
Amount criminals scammed from you
Contact details of those criminals
Banking Details
Account Officer

We need the above information to process your payment and also to take legal action on those criminals with the help of the FBI and other crime agencies.


Regards,
Dr. Mansur Muhtar
Finance Minister
D/L: 234 805 335 3343




Confidentiality Statement:
This Message is transmitted to you by the Federal Ministry of Finance. The substance of this message, along with any attachments, may be confidential and legally privileged. If you are not the designated recipient of this message, please destroy it and notify the sender of the error by return e-mail info@fmfngov.com



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