419 scam: Ecowas files <kontact-----m0399@att.net> Your urgent reply is needed

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
- mrkoromaoffice@cooltoad.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Ecowas files <kontact-----m0399@att.net>
Reply-To: mrkoromaoffice@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 21:26:47 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Your urgent reply is needed

MAIL FROM GEORGE KOROMA OFFICE

ECOWAS HEADQUARTERS.

Dear Sir / Ma

ACCOUNT PROVISION FOR USD37M.

I am George Ben Koroma, a concession agreement with whole Contract Awarding Committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). I trust that you will receive the sum of USD37, 000,000.00 (Thirty Seven Million U.S. Dollars) into your personal or company bank account to enable us access the fund in abroad. Although, I did not know you before now and I believe with trust and agreement, you will work and share with us.

This money was a residue of over invoiced contracts awarded by us for the supply of ammunition, equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical, light and heavy vehicles, apparels and other administrative logistics etc for the ECOMOG in Sierra Leone and Liberia during the Peace Keeping Projects. The original project contractors have been properly paid.

I'll give you more details and procedures transaction as soon as you reply to concur. The transaction is safe and will reward you with a reasonable percentage.

Write me through my private email address E-mail- mrkoromaoffice@cooltoad.com

Thank you,

Mr. George Ben Koroma.

CAC-Ecowas

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam