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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Olusegun Aganga" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fmfngov@live.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:04:59 +0100
Subject: Funds Transfer

Memo From Dr Olusegun Aganga
Finance Minister,
Fed. Rep. of Nigeria
Website: www.fmf.gov.ng
fmfngov@live.co.uk
D/L: 234 805 335 3343

Dear,

It is my pleasure to inform you that the Federal Government of Nigeria is not happy that your fund has lingered for so long. The government is not happy that you have spent so much money in the hands of criminals who act in disguise as government officials. We have had cases of victims coming down to Nigeria to ascertain the true position of their payment.

Recently, we had a report submitted to us by the FBI, Homeland security where your name has been mentioned of criminals who pose to work the government contacting you for your payment. The report had it of some criminals who pose to either pay you through cash delivery, bank check, bonds, ATM cards, even online banking. Unknowingly, you have fallen into their traps and have spent so much money in getting your payment. Till moment, nothing has happened.

We are also aware that some of these criminals who use common email addresses are still contacting you as regards to your payment. Having said all this, I will advise you to stop all communication, which is if you will agree and follow my instructions. I am the Finance Minister and am writing you through my official email address. I have the mandate to contact you from the Presidency based on the fact that we want to put a stop to these discrepancies and make sure your payment is made to you.

We will listen to you, we will guide you, at this point, and you are requested to give a copy of this response to the office of the Presidency, fgnpresidency@presidency.com Please note that you are requested to confirm the following information to me and the Presidency as we will be having a meeting in the morning (Monday):

Your full names
Your contact numbers
The amount you are expecting
Amount criminals scammed from you
Contact details of those criminals
Banking Details
Account Officer

We need the above information to process your payment and also to take legal action on those criminals with the help of the FBI and other crime agencies.


Regards,
Dr Olusegun Aganga
Finance Minister

Anti-fraud resources: