419 scam: "Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala"<INFO@LEE.COM> Greetings,

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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 us 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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- ngozi_okonjo58@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ngozi_okonjo58@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 18:18:10 -0700
Subject: Greetings,

Greetings,

I am Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance in Nigeria.I sincerely need your very kind assistance to claim and receive fund worth Forty eight million, three hundred thousand us dollars (US$48,300,000) Source:

The sum arose from over-inflated contract awarded by Nigeria Ministry to a foreign firm. We have fashioned out a foolproof plan to successfully transfer the funds to an account belonging to a foreigner for investment purpose, i want to front you as the beneficiary of the fund and 25% will be your compensation for this assistance. I assure you that there is no risk involve in this transaction because we will perfect the transaction in a way that there will be no trace of the funds to you after the transfer. Please keep this transaction safe and confidential because my colleagues in the Ministry have trusted me in getting a foreign partner for the transfer of the fund.

We intend to invest our own share in any profitable business in your country based on your advice because our economy is not good enough for investment. Please If my proposal is acceptable to you, reply as soon as possible. I await your urgent response.

Best Regards,

Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
ngozi_okonjo58@yahoo.co.jp

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam