419 scam: "Federal Ministry of Finance"<info@fmf.org> Hello,

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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:
- "huge amount of money" (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)
- "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" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <investigationoffice86@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:26:00 -0700
Subject: Hello,

Federal Ministry of Finance,
Headquarters, Ahmadu Bello Way
P.0.Box 41,Garrki, Abuja, Nigeria
Central Business District,
Attn: Sir/Madam,

I am DR. MANSUR MUHTAR Honourable minister of finance federal republic of Nigeria. I wish to use this medium to tell you that I saw your due payment file with file number FG/0085/09-NG.

The content of your file made me to understand that you are suppose receive a huge amount of money from some of the various financial insitution in Africa and Europe I also received a series of reports from so many financial agents and also from the Ex-Governor of CNB and the UNITED NATION SECURITY COUNCIL narrating how you have been making some illegal communications with some impostors who claimed to help you release your fund, they also made you to believe them. Before, I will say more about your file and payment, I want you to tell me every truth about the whole issues about this guys who are ready to destroy you.

I will not like a copy of this message to be reviewed to any party. A lot of things and reports have been submitted to my office. You can go through our official website for more details: (http://www.fmf.gov.ng/FMF_HMF_Profile.aspx)

Honorable Minister of Finance
Dr. Mansur Muhtar OFR

Finally I have to advise you to forward to this office all the emails you have receieved from this imposters.
I will look forward to receive more emails from you.

Yours Faithfully
Dr. Mansur Muhtar (OFN)
Minister of Finance
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam