419 scam: "Barrister Balle Taffa"<balletaffa@gmail.com> Opportunity!!

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "loan amount" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- balletaffa@mail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister Balle Taffa" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <balletaffa@mail.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 06:51:13 +0100
Subject: Opportunity!!

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY!

Mr. Balle Taffa (ESQ).

Dear Sir/Madam ,

I am an Investment Lawyer/Consultant, with a firm in Africa, Middle East and Europe. And all this years I have handled investment fund for “Private Individuals” that in one way or the other do not want their name mention out.
We have this client, that has large amount for investment and we are looking for trust worthy individual with viable project in areas (Real Estate, Agriculture, Oil & Gas, and Construction).
Re: Loan amount rate starts at 4.1% or Long Term Investment (at least) 5% ROI/PA.

Please note, that this is not your everyday scam email. If you are interested in handling and managing these huge funds kindly send your full details (Company’s profile or personal details including telephone number) to my private email address below.
balletaffa@mail.com
for more information.

Best Regards,
Mr. Balle Taffa (ESQ).

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam