419 scam: "Mr. Eric Kofi Barfo" <hitl@bellsouth.net> Attention from Mr. Eric Kofi Barfo

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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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- ",500,000" (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)
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.
- erickofibarfo@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Eric Kofi Barfo" <hitl@bellsouth.net>
Reply-To: "Mr. Eric Kofi Barfo" <erickofibarfo@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:21:39 -0700
Subject: Attention from Mr. Eric Kofi Barfo

Attention Friend

I got your contact during my search for a reliable, trust worthy and honest partner to invest with. My name is Mr. Eric Kofi Barfo. I am the manager of the ECO BANK LTD Ghana. I am a Ghanaian married with four children. I am writing to solicit your assistance in the noble transfer of US$6,500,000.00 for investment in your country. This fund is excess profit of which my branch made last year where am the manager.

I placed this amount of US$6,500,000.00 Six Million Five hundred Thousand United States Dollars on a SUSPENSE ACCOUNT without a beneficiary. I am currently seeking a means of expanding and relocating business interest in the following sectors: Banking Real estate, Stock speculation and mining, Transportation and Tobacco, Agriculture, Oil and gas and Gold dust is available now.

As a staff of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money because I am working with this bank, thus I am compelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account. I intend to part 30% of this fund to you while 70% shall be for me.

I do need to stress that there are practically no risk involved in this. It is going to be a bank-to-bank transfer to your nominated bank account anywhere you feel safer. All I need from you is to stand as the original depositor of this fund. If you accept this offer, Please get back to me through my direct email address ( erickofibarfo@gmail.com) as soon as possible for more details.

Thanks,
Mr. Eric Kofi Barfo
Direct email: erickofibarfo@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam