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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • markkoffi990@o2.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Mark Koffi" <markkoffi5@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: markkoffi990@o2.pl
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 22:01:41 +0100
Subject: Re:23/05/2008


Mr. Mark Koffi
Bank of Ghana
Accra-Ghana


Dear Friend,

I know this letter will come to you as a surprise because you do not know me
before; my name is Mr. Mark Koffi Director Cargo Department, Bank of Ghana.

During the airlift of some presidential luggages to Europe I and my
colleagues in the above department unanimously decided to include additional
luggage containing US$8million only for our own benefit though it was
labeled \\\"Photographic Equipment\\\" for security reasons. I am obliged
to contact you to assist us on getting the luggage cleared from the agent
and delivered to you.
As we have agreed on the following tames.

(1) All relevant documents to claim the luggage will be procure in your name
to enable the agent deliver the luggage to your mailing address. (2) You
will be entitled to a share of 25% of the total amount. (3) 5% of the total
amount will be set aside for expenses on both sides. (4) 70% of the total
amount will be for my colleagues and me.

If this business terms and conditions are ok by you, kindly contact me on my
private email address: markkoffi990@o2.pl, also, furnish me with your full
names, mailing address and your personal telephone / fax numbers, for easier
communication for immediate forwarding to the agent in Europe.

Note that this business is 100% risk free, as all relevant documents to back
up the claim will be procure on your name, however we advice you to keep the
entire transaction close to yourself until you received the luggage. For
security reasons other modalities will be discussed as soon as you response
to me.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. Mark Koffi
Director Cargo Dept

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam