419 scam: "Mr. Festus Idowu" <officedsk--------1@att.net> Attention;Sir/Madam,

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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.
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.
- idowu_festus@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Festus Idowu" <officedsk--------1@att.net>
Reply-To: idowu_festus@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2011 02:11:43 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Attention;Sir/Madam,

Attention;Sir/Madam,

Please, it was on my search for business transaction I got your contact email and decided to disclose this to you. I am Mr. Festus Idowu, Director Contract purchasing department.

Nevertheless, as the purchasing order director, I handle approved payment directly to the suppliers. Four years ago, an invoice was over quoted with amount of Two Million Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars (US$2,950,000.00) after the company from China concluded their supply order.

This money was moved to a private bank account for safe keeping. Now I have decided to resign from this service, I seek your consent to stand and receive this money from International Commercial Bank of Ghana where I deposited it four years ago.

Because I am still in service, I will not be allowed to deal with foreign transfer or international investment, that is the reason why I contacted you.

I am not leaving you behind to this, you will have Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars ($950,000.00) from the total money will be yours while I have the remaining balance which you will assist me to invest in your country.

I still have a copy of the purchasing order which my department used during the period the purchase was made. I wish to release the backing documents on your request.

You only contact them (The Bank) directly for the release and to transfer of the Funds into your Bank account.

Please email me your information and your personal suggestion to this.

1. Full Name:
2. Address:
3.Telephone:
4.Age/Occupation:

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Festus Idowu.
Phone: +233 54100 5224
Email: idowu_festus@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam