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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: kofi owusu <owusuicb7@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <kofiowusu1960@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2007 15:38:43 +0000
Subject: Request to do business with you [Reply and Call me].




From: Mr.Kofi OwusuPhone: +233274220000

Dear friend,

I am Mr.Kofi Owusu, a manager with international commercial bank here in Ghana, I am writing to solicit your assistance in the transfer of US$6,750.000.00.

This fund is an excess of what my branch in which I am the manger made as profit during the last fiscal year after trading with sum huge amount of money in Ghana Stock Exchange. I have already submitted an approved end of the year report for the year 2006 to my head office here in Accra last December. Since then, I have placed this $6,750.000.00 on Non-Resident account without a beneficiary in our bank were nobody will have access to it; even the bank does not have access to this account because it cannot be trade with nor deducted; until after the transfer is made. I contacted you for assistance after getting your contact information during my personal search for a reliable, honest and trustworthy person to stand on my behalf. Can I trust you to hold this money for me until I come to your country?

As an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly involved in this money, thus I am impelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account because it is only a foreigner that can stand as the beneficiary of this account. I intend to part 30% of this fund to you While 70% shall be for me. I do need to stress to you that there are practically no risk involved in this transaction. It's going to be a bank-to-bank transfer. All I need from you is to stand as the original depositor of this fund.

If you accept this offer, please I will appreciate your timely response.

With Regards,
Mr. Kofi Owusu
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam