419 scam: Federal Ministry of Finance <postmaster@etcpa.com> ARE YOU STILL ALIVE? .

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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:
- "clearance fee" (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. )
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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 <postmaster@etcpa.com>
Reply-To: <uopdateoffice@yahoo.dk>
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2015 02:56:15 -0600
Subject: ARE YOU STILL ALIVE? .

Federal Ministry of Finance

Office of the Legal Director

Asokoro, Abuja - Nigeria.

Direct line: +2349051264123.

URGENT:PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL:

January 31, 2015: 07:28 PM.

Our Ref:SFJ-VOL.1/TD/FM/NG. Your Ref: CP/IHERIT/FMF/PRES/AP/14.

Attention:

Be advised, that the Presidency has re-iterated the cancellation process of all unclaimed funds. Endeavor, to do the needful, send your validated banking details today and comply with the Presidential clearance fee advice for the release of your funds before their deadline, Feel free to call me on my phone number above for more briefing and clarification.

Best regards,

Stanley Lawson Esq.

Accredited Legal Director,

Federal Ministry of Finance,Nigeria.

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Legality, Transparency and Accountability, the Bedrock of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam