419 scam: George Owusu <anyi1door2004@yahoo.com> From Ghana Customs

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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.

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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "abidjan" (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.
- georgeowusu007@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: George Owusu <anyi1door2004@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: George Owusu <georgeowusu007@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 11:45:57 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: From Ghana Customs

Dear Friend,
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My name is Insp. George Owusu of Ghana Customs and Preventive Services. We got your contact through a business pamphlet that was forgetting in our pamphlet by Canadian glass and aluminum profile supplier and after due consultation, I was mandated to contact you on confidential bases for business collaboration.
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Three months ago, we ran into group of suspected smuggler or insurgence at the trans-boarder Check-Point in between Ghana and Abidjan and they fled sighting our joint patrol vehicles.Among what we recovered are reasonable quantities of Gold Bars totaling 37KG padded inside a Synthetic leather box, few rifles and live ammunition. The ammunition and fire arms were legally handed over to National Security Service while the gold bars were kept within our custody.
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Considering our position as Custom officers, I have worked out modalities through which 37KG of the gold should be entrusted into your care in two or three segments. In this procedure, you will be entitled to equal share of percentage after. It also important to understand that whatever expenses you incurred on the course of this transaction will be deducted before sharing of the proceed.
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If this deal interests you, do Not hesitate to reach me with absolute confidentiality on this Email: georgeowusu007@gmail.com

Best Regards
Insp George Owusu

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam