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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: "Ecobank Ghana Ltd" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ecoopokumorgan@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2010 23:17:48 +0100
Subject: Re: Immediate Remittance of Your US$5M Within 48hrs

ECOBANK GHANA
19, SEVENTH AVE RIGDE (WEST)
ACCRA-GHANA
TELEX: ECOBNKGH


Attn: Beneficiary,


RE: PRE- ADVICE AND PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF US$5M

We write to notify you that we have received a pre-advice instruction from the Payment Panel of ECOWAS to credit your nominated account with US$5M and debit their coded a/c with our branch within 48hrs as your over due inheritance payment. This instruction was received last Friday from Economic community of West Africa States (Ecowas) Headquarters in Lome.

Be informed that we will release the transfer upon the reconfirmation of the following information's

1. Your bank account details where you would want the fund will be transferred
2. Your Mobile Telephone and Fax Number
3. Your Company name and address

Our telex department will transfer the funds to your a/c and send to you the telex confirmation slip for further confirmation with your bank.

Regards,

Mr. Opoku Morgan
Remittance Dept
Ecobank Ghana Ltd

Anti-fraud resources: