419 scam: James Kofi Addo <te5464@johnnnymails.com> Dear One,

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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "trunk box" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "there are practically no risks involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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.
- jmskaddo@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: James Kofi Addo <te5464@johnnnymails.com>
Reply-To: jmskaddo@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:14:52 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear One,

Dear One,

Permit me to introduce myself to you as Mr.James Kofi Addo,a Ghanaian
born in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana in Sept,1954.I am the Manager
of Gateway Security & Finance Company.However I believe that you
will be capable and trustworthy to handle this transaction after getting
your contact information.Also I hope we can assist each other as we
progress in this transaction.

I am writing you in regards of trunk box deposited in our company by
Mr.Jeffrey Ripley,an American citizen; He was a well known successful
businessman dealing on alluvial gold dust and bars;a philanthropist who
was very influential during his life-time.

The company recently confirmed that Mr.Jeffrey died last year of a heart
condition.Since then, the company has tried all they could to locate
any of his relatives but to no avail.My main motive of writing you is to
solicit your acceptance to stand as a relative of the deceased
Mr.Jeffrey Ripley so that the funds can be released to you as his next
of kin after i must have in-put your name in our record showing your
relationship with the depositor.It might interest you to know that we
are talking about USD$3,7000,000.00 and if you accept to work with me in
actualizing this transaction,the sharing ratio should be 50%-50%.I have
discussed with a lawyer and all the vital documents that will give this
transaction the needed legitimacy will be obtained from the High Court
here.

NOTE:There are practically no risks involved in this transaction as i
will be able to direct you at every given time on what to do and how.If
you accept to go along with me,I will furnish you with the information
with which to get in contact with the company requesting for the release
of the funds to you after I must have in-put your info into our data as
the next of kin to Mr.Jeffrey Ripley.

This is a secure arrangement and with my position here,everything will
just work out perfectly..If you accept this offer,I will appreciate your
timely response as soon as you receive this mail.Kindly contact me on
this email: jmskaddo@gmail.com

With Regards,

Mr.James Kofi Addo.

Email: jmskaddo@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam