419 scam: "Federal Ministry of Finance"<richardsilva2541@sify.com> BENEFICIARIES.REF/PAYMENTS CODE:06654 $500,000.00.

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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
- +2348089667776 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- coordinatesv@o2.pl (O2, Poland; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Federal Ministry of Finance" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <coordinatesv@o2.pl>
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2011 02:21:48 +0100
Subject: BENEFICIARIES.REF/PAYMENTS CODE:06654 $500,000.00.

Dr. Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga
The Honourable Minister of Finance,
Abuja Nigeria.

BENEFICIARIES.REF/PAYMENTS CODE:06654 $500,000.00.
UNITED NATIONS SCAMMED VICTIM COMPENSATION PAYMENT.

Dear Victim,

On the fateful recommendations, we want you to know that during the last U.N. meetings held in West Africa, Asokoro Villa, Abuja, Nigeria,it was alarmed so much by the world in the meeting on the loss of Funds by various individuals to the Nigerian scam artists operating in syndicates all over the world today. In other to compensate victims, the U.N Body in conjunction with the Federal Government of Nigeria is now paying 150 victims of this operators $500,000.00 each in accordance with the U.N. recommendations.

Due to the corrupt and inefficient Banking Systems in Nigeria, the payments are to be supervised by the United Nations' Officials and the Minister of Finance of Nigeria, the corresponding paying bank is Equitorial Trust bank ltd.This is to bring to your notice that I am delegated from the United Nations to pay 150 scam victims $500,000.00 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) each You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the scammed victims to be paid this amount.

Therefore do not hesitate to contact the paying Bank below for immediate payment of your $500,000.00 compensations Funds.

Equitorial trust bank Ltd.
Phone +234-808-966-7776
Email:coordinatesv@o2.pl
Contact Person: Mr. Walter Akin

According to the number of applicants at hand, 87 Beneficiaries has been paid, half of the victims are from the United States, and we still have more 14 left to be paid the compensations of $500,000.00 each. Your particulars was mentioned by one of the Syndicates who was arrested as one of their victims of the operations, you are hereby warned not to communicate or duplicate this message to him for any reason what so ever as the U.S. secret service is already on trace of the other criminals. So keep it secret till they are all apprehended. Other victims who Have not been contacted can submit their application as well for scrutiny and possible consideration.

You will receive your compensation payments via any of this options you Choose, Wire Transfer, Certified Bank Draft or ATM Electronic Visa Card.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs. Andrea Bello,
Public Relation Officer, Minister of Finance
SCAMMED VICTIM/REF/PAYMENTS CODE:06654 $500,000.00

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam