419 scam: "Tafa Balogun" <tafa_balo@hotmail.com> Expecting your response

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million 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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- tafa_balo005@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Tafa Balogun" <tafa_balo@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 13:32:32 +0100
Subject: Expecting your response

Attn: Sir/ Madam

I was until Monday,17th January 2005 the Inspector
General of Police in Nigeria.

The Government woke up and announced an UNTIMELY
RETIREMENT without any official statement.

My accounts in Lagos Nigeria which has about
20 Million Dollars(all my life's savings)has been suspected and is been
tracked by the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
visit the bbc publication on this
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4184257.stm>

I want you to assist me to transfer this sum out of Nigeria into your
personal account for safe keeping pending the outcome of the investigation.

My family's passports have been siezed and my son and wife placed under
house arrest.

All that i require is your honesty and co-operation to enable me get this
money transferred to you. I guarantee that this will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
Please get in touch with me by my private E-mail
Address:(tafa_balo005@yahoo.com) enclosing your telephone numbers for more
information to enable us discuss further.

I would be grateful if this mail will be favoured with an early reply.
Regards,

Tafa Balogun

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam