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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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "there are practically no risks involved" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "johnkoufor@barclaybank.com" <johnkoufor14@gmail.com>
Reply-To: johnkoufor109@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 18:13:21 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY


*from:Mr.David Kwame***

* ***

*Dear Friend,***

* ***

*My name is John Koufor I am the regional manager of Barclay's bank of
GhanaTakoradi branch in the western region of
Ghana. I got your information when i was searching for an oversea partner
among other names. I write you this proposal in good faith; I am 50 years
old married with three lovely kids. I am a devoted Christian and a man of
peace.***

* ***

*I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit you and I, as the
regional manager of the Barclays bank it is my duty to send in a financial
report to my head office in the capital city Accra at the end of each
business year. On the course of the last year 2007 business report, I
discovered that my branch in which I am the manager made five million Seven
hundred united state dollars ($5.7m)usd which my head office are not aware
of and will never be aware of. I have placed this funds on what we call
escrow call account with no beneficiary.***

* ***

*As an officer of this bank I cannot be directly connected to this money, so
my aim of contacting you is to assist me receive this money in your bank
account and get 30% of the total funds as commission. ***

* ***

*There are practically no risks involved, it will be a bank-to-bank
transfer, and all I need from you is to stand claim as the original
depositor of these funds who made the deposit with my branch so that my head
office can order the transfer to your designated bank account.***

* ***

*If you accept to work with me I will appreciate it very much. email me with
the above email address so that we can go over the details and i will give
you my full informations.Remember there is no risk involved i promise.***

* ***

*Thank you in advance and May God bless you and your family. ***

*Yours truly***

* ***

*Mr.John Koufor.*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam