419 scam: "Finance Ministry" <office.officem4030@att.net> Attn: Dear beneficiary

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr.emewie@w.cn" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Finance Ministry" <office.officem4030@att.net>
Reply-To: <barr.emewie@w.cn>
Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2010 10:29:02 +0100
Subject: Attn: Dear beneficiary

Attn: Dear beneficiary

I am contacting you in regards to the final conclusion of the transfer of your compensation fund of (US$1.2million). The Board of Federal Ministry of Finance Nigeria, has Instructed (PAYMENT HEAD OFFICE ) to send your funds (US$1.2million) to you through Western Union Money Transfer for easier receiving of your inherited/Compensation funds without any further delay and to avoid paying money to the fraudsters that is going on through the demand for Insurance certificate,clearance certificate and the others. The maximum amount you will be receiving each day starting from the moment you have contacted them is the sum of $7,000.00 US Dollars per day, the only fee you are required to pay them is for the renewal and Approval of your fund payment file that was deposited in their office.

Be advised to send the Payment head Office the below information listed where you want them to send the fund to you per day:

Beneficiary Name:

Beneficiary Address:

Beneficiary phone number:

Contact the payment head office with their below information

Contact person is Barr. Mike Emewie.

Email (barr.emewie@w.cn)

Be informed as soon as you pay the payment head office for the renewal and approval of your payment file that was deposited there on your behalf by The Federal Ministry Of Finance Benin, they will start sending your fund immediately to you without any further delay and you will start receiving your fund every day $7,000.00 per day until your total payment ($1.2 million) United States Dollars is finished. Finally, kindly let me know as soon as you Started receiving your fund.

Yours in service.

Dr. Chris Ben

Finance Ministry

Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam