419 scam: SEMINISTRY FINANCE AUTHORITY <unitedytyf_o1c_Yfc_i_3Diojc@ninus.ocn.ne.jp> FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE BENIN REPUBLIC.

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "required 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. )
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- "western union" (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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "cotonou" (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.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- +22968734279 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- +22998890949 (Benin, probably a 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.
- financialaservicesauthority@usa.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: SEMINISTRY FINANCE AUTHORITY <unitedytyf_o1c_Yfc_i_3Diojc@ninus.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: MINISTRY FINANCE AUTHORITY <financialaservicesauthority@usa.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 2015 22:12:13 +0900 (JST)
Subject: FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE BENIN REPUBLIC.

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE BENIN REPUBLIC.
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE.
30 Aromore Street, Off Adeniyi Jones Avenue, cotonou benin republic.
Office Phone: (+229-687 342 79)
Fax: +229 988 90949
[OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR (SCB) PLC]
MAIL: financialaservicesauthority@usa.com

Attention: ,

It's with great pleasure that this office wish to write to you regarding the transfer of your fund of $850,000.00USD which is due for transfer to you as your waiting payment.

Your fund with Federal Ministry Of Finance Benin Republic in collaboration with the BANK OF AMERICA regarding your fund of $850,000.00usd which is ought to be transferred to you.

All you have to do is to follow the advice/instructions below to enable the transfer of your said fund to you legitimately as the rightful beneficiary..

We wish to bring to your notice that the Federal Government has paid for your transfer fee and has commanded that you should have your fund transferred to you but the fact is that they stated that before your fund must be transferred to you, you ought to make the only required fee of $550 .00USD which must enable this office to take care of your Stamp duty/vats fee before we must single-handedly hand over your fund to the BANK OF AMERICA for them to transfer your fund to you without delay.

So you have to ensure you make the payment fast with the details below so that as soon as we confirm the payment, then we must immediately ensure that your fund is transferred to you immediately within the next 3hours upon the comfirmation of the payment.

Below is the western union or Money Gram details on how you will make the payment:

Receiver: Amos ifeh.
COUNRT:Benin Republic
Text Question: How are you?
Text Answer: Fine
MTCN?????
Amount Sent: $550 USD Only.

Don't forget to forward the payment informations together with your Bank detail were you want to received/transfer your fund to avoid mistake.

Immediately we receive the payment details from you, then we must immediately ensure you have your fund transferred to you within the space of 3 hours without any delay.

Immediately you receive this email, kindly go and make the payment and get back to this office with the payment information to proceed with the transferring of your fund of $850,000.00USD to your Bank Account through our collaboration bank.
You are to call this office on phon(MAIL(financialaservicesauthority@usa.com)
+229 67 for fast communication as soon as you make the payment for the transfer of your fund to you to commence ASAP within the space of 3hours.

Don't get back to this office without the required fee because your transfer will be cancelled if you get back to this office without the fee as instructed.

Note that you have only Five (3) good working days to arrange this fee fast and get back to this office with the western Union prove of payment for the immediate transfer of your fund to your Bank Account.

Be noted that you are required to get back to this office only when you have made the payment. Don't get back to this office without the payment information because failure to this official advise will lead to the cancellation of your transfer.

Finally, don't forget to foward the payment information together with your bank detail were you want your fund to be transferred to avoid any delay.

Thank you,
Signed,
Mrs. Gloria Carlie(PhD.)
Assistant Secretary to the Director,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam