419 scam: "Mr Nelson Abu"<mrnelsonabu@gmail.com> Chief Accountant with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (FMA) Nigeria.

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "cost of transfer" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "confidentiality of this transaction" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Nelson Abu" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 05:59:51 -0800
Subject: Chief Accountant with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (FMA) Nigeria.

My name is Mr.Nelson Abu,Chief Accountant with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (FMA) Nigeria.

It is with trust and confidence that i write to make this urgent business proposal to you. I am seeking for a foreign partner who will assist me in providing a convenient foreign account in any designated bank abroad for the transfer of US$25,500,000.00 pending on my arrival in your country for utilization and disbursement with the owner of the account.

This amount results from a deliberate inflation of the value of a contract awarded by my Ministry - the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (FMA) to an expatriate company,the contract has been executed and payment made to the original contractor,remaining the over-invoiced amount of US$25.5 million,which i want to transfer out of my country in in your favour for disbursement between me and you.The transfer of this money can only be possible with the help of a foreigner who will be presented as the beneficiary of the funds.

As government officials, we are not allowed to operate foreign accounts and this is the reason why i decided to contact you. I have agreed that if you/your company can act as the beneficiary of this funds (US$25,500,000.00 Million) 30% of the total sum will be for you for providing the account while 5% will be set aside for the expenses incurred during the cost of transfer into your account while 65% will be reserved for me.

Please note that i have been careful and have made all arrangements towards the success and smooth transfer of the funds to your account before contacting you, for security reasons and confidentiality of this transaction, I demand that you should not expose this proposal and the entire transaction to anybody.I have putting so much trust in you with the hope that you would not betray me or sit on this money when it is finally transferred into your account,be rest assured that this transaction is 100% risk free, if this proposal is acceptable to you,indicate your interest by sending email to me including your bank name & address,account number,telephone and fax numbers,more details about this transaction will be given to you as soon as i receive your positive respond.

Your urgent response will be appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Mr.Nelson Abu

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