419 scam: Barrister Richard Coffi <insptgenpolice@gmail.com> Hello: Friend,

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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:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "barrister" (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.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22996349109 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- western_uniondepartment20@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Richard Coffi <insptgenpolice@gmail.com>
Reply-To: western_uniondepartment20@yahoo.fr
Date: Sat, 9 Apr 2011 23:46:11 +0900 (KST)
Subject: Hello: Friend,

Hello: Friend,

Be informed that your part-payment of (US$1,850.000.00)
from International Monetary Fund Unit (IMF) and National lottery
has approved to transfer via our department of Western Union,
Meanwhile your urgent respond is highly needed with the
re-confirmation of your details where and how to receive your funds such as
follows: Your Name: Country: State and address / direct phone.

Meanwhile payment of US$5.000.00 has already been made
through Western Union for you to pick it up, But Due to there are so many
scams on the Internet, You are required to re-confirm your name and
other details as requested above to Activate your payment files and also to
ensure you are the right person to receive the fund. Upon
reception of the details, we shall Activate and forward
the payment details of the first transfer of US$5.000.00 to you to pick
it up in any Western Union location in your country.

You can easily get back to us via email or telephone# for
more details while the amount you will be confirming daily is
(US$5.000.00) starting from the day we receive your information's.
The details needed again as stated below is as follows:

RECEIVERS NAME:
COUNTRY
CITY :
ADDRESS:
UR DIRECT PHONE :

Once again contact western union money transfer with the
email address below with your receiving information's.
PAYMENT MANAGER ;Mr.Douglas D.ROGERS

E-mail { western_uniondepartment20@yahoo.fr)
+22996349109

I"m looking forward to hearing from you.

Barrister Richard Coffi
Western Union Attorney

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam