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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: "DR PAUL ACQUAH" <drpaul1921@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: drpaul_bog02x@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 22:43:33 +0000
Subject: FUND DELIVERY FROM BANK OF GHANA

From The Desk Of:
Dr Paul Acquah.
Executive Governor
Bank Of Ghana.

Dear Sir/Madam,
 
On behalf of the entire Staff of the  Bank of Ghana and the Federal Government of Ghana in collaboration with IMF and World Bank. We apologise for the delay of your Contract Payment and all the Inconveniences you encountered while pursuing this payment.
 
However, from the records of outstanding Contractors due for payment with the Government of Ghana, your Name and Company was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding Contractors who have not yet received their payments. I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in my file, your outstanding Contract Payment is US$10,700,000.00 (Ten Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).
 
Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your Full Name.
2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #.
3) Company Name, Position and Address.
4) Profession, Age and Marital Status.
5) Working Identity Card/Int'l Passport.
6) Nearest airport
 
As soon as the above mentioned details are received, your payment will be made to you via diplomatic courier delivery in accordance to World Bank and IMF recommendations. A diplomat with International travel immunity will be contracted to deliver the funds at your doorstep. 

 

Cordially yours,

 

Dr Paul Acquah,
Executive Governor,
Bank of Ghana (BOG).
 

 

 

 

 

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam