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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:

Fraud email example:

From: Yaw Osafo <mryawosafo23@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mryawosafo1965@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 06:06:29 -0800 (PST)
Subject: LET US WORK TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD



Dear Friend,

How is your family? hope fine, I wish to make a request that would be of immense benefit to both of us. After careful consideration , I resolved to contact you for your most needed assistance in this manner. I duly apologize for infringing on your privacy if this proposal is not acceptable to you.

Mr name is Mr Yaw Osafo former Ghanaian minister of finance. I was sacked by President John Kufuor on 28th April 2006 for the fact that I signed $29 million book publication contract with Macmillan Education without reference to the Public Procurement Board and without Parliamentary approval. I have taken pains to find your contact through personal endeavours.I decided to contact you after due thought in respect of a transfer of a huge sum of money.

Right now, As matter of fact, $9.5 million part of the money was lodged into security company in europe. the money will be released to you for investment. I would like you to give this a highly confidential approach. Any question you wish to ask concerning this deal, do not delay to ask.
I wait upon your response

My regards,

Mr Yaw Osafo


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