419 scam: "FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE (FMF)" <info.fedminfinnigeria@yahoo.com> WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH.

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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- ",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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE (FMF)" <info.fedminfinnigeria@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: debtmgtoffice2013@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Fri, 2 May 2014 12:39:20 -0400 (AST)
Subject: WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH.

Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF)
Office of The Honourable Finance Minister,
Ahmadu Bello Way, Central Business District
Abuja, Nigeria

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MINISTER OF FINANCE OR STAFF OF FINANCE WILL
NEVER SEND YOU ANY PERSONAL EMAIL/MESSAGE. CONSIDER ANY YOU
RECEIVE AS SPAM AND REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR COUNTRY'S
AUTHORITIES.

RELEASE OF YOUR OUTSTANDING PAYMENT OF US$18,500,000,000,00, WITH
IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

You are receiving this all important message courtesy of the strict
instructions of our Federal Executive Council (FEC), in respect of your
OVER-DELAYED contract payment Reference Contract Number:
NNPC/PED/2039-X/2009, Valued at US$18,500,000,00 (Eighteen Million, Five
Hundred, Thousand United States Dollars Only), successfully completed with
the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and shall be released
to you now without further delay.

We wish to bring to your kind notice that sanity has been restored to our
international funds remittance process, and as a former staff of the World
Bank, i have restored sanctity, transparency and accountability, and all
outstanding payments like yours are presently going-on smoothly and
successfully under enabling environment.

We are 100% guaranteeing the immediate release of your outstanding payment
of $18.5million without further delay as you may deem convenient, by Key
Tested Telex (KTT), Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Draft from our
offshore service accounts ONLY with either the Citi Bank of New York, USA,
or with that of the Union Bnak of Switzerland (UBS), with all legal
documentary approvals delivered to you by dhl or fedex courier service, as
stipulated by our international remittance rules and regulations under our
Contracts Evidence Act of 1999 as amended.

You are hereby, requested to fill-in the below Confirmation/Remittance
Form and indicate mode of payment convenient to you.

Full
Names:................................................................................................................

Mailing (FOR DELIVERY OF YOUR PAYMENT PACKAGE BY DHL OR FEDEX COURIER
SERVICE)
Address:......................................................................................................................

Cell Phone Number: (FOR TEXT MESSAGES IF SITUATION DEMANDS)
...............................................................................................................

Company
Name:......................................................................................................

State how you want to receive your $18.5m: By Key Tested Telex Wire
Transfer: (KTT) or Certified Bank Draft
..................................................................................................................

All we demand from any contractor/funds beneficiary is Evidence of Funds
Legality for the safety of their funds in their custody.

Be also well informed that we shall dispatch your payment package (HARD
COPIES OF ALL THE LEGAL DOCUMENTARY APPROVALS AND A COPY OF A CERTIFIED
BANK DRAFT, for your confirmation with either the Citi Bank of New York,
USA, or with that of the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS), to you by dhl or
fedex courier service, for sanctity, transparency and accountability.

We are honestly sorry for any inconveniences the delay in receiving your
funds must have caused you.

Yours faithfully,

Dr.(Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Hon.Finance Minister,
Federal Reopublic of Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam