419 scam: "Hon. Fred Bernard" <ok@ok.com> Hello Good Day

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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:
- "million 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)
- "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)
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.
- drinfo12@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Hon. Fred Bernard" <ok@ok.com>
Reply-To: drinfo12@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2017 11:06:48 -0700
Subject: Hello Good Day

Hello

I am Hon Fred Bernard, an Ivory Coast citizen(a politician and also the former special adviser to ministry of interior in Ivory Coast having worked with former President (Laurent Gbagbo)

I am very sure, that you're aware of the political crisis which took place in my country. As a special adviser to the ministry of interior in my country, I was empowered to oversee all our minerals resources.

However, because of the political crisis in my country Ivory Coast (Cote d 'Ivoire), I decided to use the opportunity in taking hold of this ($12.6 Million Dollars) Twelve Million Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only, for an immediate investment in your country or any other country you deem necessary and safe.the funds are currently with a security firm in Europe awaiting for clearing.

However I am seeking your kind assistance to assist me receive, secure and invest the above mentioned fund wisely on lucrative Venture under your supervision. Meanwhile I'll be interested to have you as my friend also a business partner, if only you can assure me that you're trustworthy. which will enable us to provide you with all documents for you to open discussion with the firm for immediate collection of the funds.

I thank you very much for taking time to go through my mail, and hope to read from your reply soon. Feel free to contact me with your information as soon as possible to enable us proceed.

Yours sincerely,

Hon. Fred Bernard
Email:drinfo12@yahoo.co.jp

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam