419 scam: "Ben Kanu"<info@fmf.gov> Project Evaluation Officer

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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "servicom1@ymail.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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Ben Kanu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <servicom1@ymail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:39:04 -0700
Subject: Project Evaluation Officer

Federal Ministry of Finance, Headquarters,
Ahmadu Bello Way,
Central Business District,
P.M.Box 41,Garki,
Abuja, Nigeria

Email : info@fmf.gov,
servicom1@ymail.com

NOTICE OF PAYMENT

Quite recently the Senate Committee on payment of outstanding contract sums and all other telegraphic transfers enlisted your name among those to be paid their fund after its vetting.

I am directed to inform you that your name has been published among the contractors/fund Request Transfers that will be paid for this quarter.An initial payment of $3,500,000.00 has been approved as payment to you . You are therefore advised to contact me by repling
this notice for further details on the requirement for the transfer of your fund.

Thanks
BENARD KANU
Project Evaluation Officer
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE

The management and control of all finances of the Federal Government as prescribed by the constitution of the country is the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam