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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "million united states 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)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:03:26 +0100
Subject: Ref: CONTRACT/INHERITANCE FUND CLAIM


--
*From the Desk of:
(OPERATIONS DIRECTOR)
Bank of Ghana.
1 Thorpe Road,
P.O.BOX.Gp 1721.
Accra Ghana.
Phone Number: +233-245-652-232
Reference: Payment Notification.
Status: Information Re- confirmation

ATTENTION:* Beneficiary,

Ref: CONTRACT/INHERITANCE FUND CLAIM

The Records of outstanding Beneficiaries due for payment with the
Republic of Ghana your name was discovered as next on the list of the
outstanding who have not yet received their payments.

Therefore, I wish to inform you that, your payment is being processed and
will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.
Also note that from my record in the file your outstanding
contract/Inheritance Payment is US$5.000, 000.00 (five Million United States

Dollars) as attested to Ref: Probate Register Record of 'WILL' notice
written by late Eng Williams Pinkerton.

Re-confirm to me if this is what you have in your record and please,
Forward the below information to ease our confirmation that will enable
Fund be credited in your Favor

(1) Your full name.
(2) Mobile Phone #.
(3) Any ID.

As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to
You in a certified Bank draft / ATM Card/Cash Payment Delivery or swift wire

transfer to Your Bank account as will be nominated.

Payment Reference No.-35460021, Allocation No: 674632
Pin Code No: 55674. Certificate of Merit Payment No: 103, Forex Released
Code No: 0763; Immediate Telex confirmation No: -1114433; Secret Code
No:XXTN013,

As soon as you receive this letter for further update please get back to me
on my Direct Mobile Phone Number:+233-245-652-232

Regards,
DR DAN AKUFORE
(OPERATIONS DIRECTOR)
FOR BANK OF GHANA

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam