419 scam: JOHN KOFI <johnkofijohnkofijohnkofijohnko@yahoo.co.jp> I NEED YOUR URGENT ASSISTANT"

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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.

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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.
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.
- johnkofijohnkofijohnkofijohnko@yahoo.co.jp (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: JOHN KOFI <johnkofijohnkofijohnkofijohnko@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: johnkofi16@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:16:37 +0900 (JST)
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT ASSISTANT"

$B?7$7$$%a!<%k%"%I%l%9$r$*CN$i$;$7$^$9?7$7$$%a!<%k%"%I%l%9!'(B johnkofijohnkofijohnkofijohnko@yahoo.co.jp

Sir/Ma,Iam john kofi from ghana,Iam 16years old and a student.I am wrting you this mail to seek your urgent and assistant for the claim of the fund deposited in a security firm vauly valued at $21m.pLEASE contact me for more details if you can assist.

- JOHN KOFI

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam