419 scam: "Mansur Muhtar"<fmf@minister.com> Funds Transfer / IMF Verification

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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:
- "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. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "info@fmfngov.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +2348053353343 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mansur Muhtar" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fmfngovv@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 18:45:57 +0100
Subject: Funds Transfer / IMF Verification

Letter From: Dr. Mansur Muhtar
Finance Minister
Land Line: +234 9 4841707
D/L: +234 805 335 3343
E-fax: +1 206-666-5731
Profile: http://www.fmf.gov.ng/FMF_HMF_Profile.aspx

Dear,

The office of the Vice President has directed that all payments should be concluded before the end this week. We had a Federal Executive council meeting today based on your payment and the state of President's health that is in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. It is my pleasure to inform you that the Federal Government of Nigeria is not happy that till now you have received your payment into your account. I presented our numerous letters and correspondences and also the IMF Verification form, which I stated to them that you have not complied with the given instructions.

The government is not happy that you have spent so much money in the hands of criminals who act in disguise as government officials, which they are also of the view that you might still be in communication with these criminals which has delayed your response in making sure you get your payment as stated and approved. The only statutory fee which you are to pay is the IMF Verification fee of $340 which is stated in the form and there is no other fee attached to this. I am sending back the form to you to fill and send back to me, then send the $340 by western union or money gram in the name of Mr. Alex Barr, Abuja Nigeria, I can as well give you and account where to send the money but that will delay the transfer process.

We are that unknowingly you have fallen into wrong hands in the past which is why we have taken it up together with the World Bank and IMF in making sure that your payment is made to your account, not only to your account, but a verified account by the IMF to avoid fraud or scam.

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 which you can as well verify through my profile page. 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.

Fill the attached form and also send the payment details, if there is any issue or problem that you which to relate to me, call me or send me and email immediately.

Regards,
Dr. Mansur Muhtar
Finance Minister
D/L: 234 805 335 3343

Confidentiality Statement:
This Message is transmitted to you by the Federal Ministry of Finance. The substance of this message, along with any attachments, may be confidential and legally privileged. If you are not the designated recipient of this message, please destroy it and notify the sender of the error by return e-mail info@fmfngov.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam