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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: "JAMES KOFFI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jamesakoffi@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2016 20:22:13 -0800
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION

Dear Sir,

After my official inquiry from the foreign trade office of the chambers of commerce & industry here, I decided to contact you but I did not disclose the intention to anyone else because of the confidential nature of the project. I found your profile very interesting and decided to reach you directly to solicit for your assistance and guidelines in making a business investment and transfer of US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty five million dollars) which is now in a financial security company in LONDON

Please I must plead for your confidence in this transaction. I am a high placed official working with Department of (Finance & Economic Affairs) in GHANA . I am currently in need of a silent foreign partner who will assist to receive this sum of money as my trustee or business partner . But at this moment, I am constrained to issue more details about this profitable business investment until I get your response by email, please if you can take out a moment of your very busy schedule today to respond back to me for more details and include your private telephone number in your response which I will highly appreciate.
This fund accrued legitimately to me as commission from foreign contracts, through my private connections. The fund is presently with financial security company in LONDON

Waiting to be remitted to my beneficiary confirmed by me as associate/trustee.

My proposal is that after you receive the funds, it would be shared as follows: (1) 40% to you as commission for your co-operation and assistance in facilitating the transfer, while the remaining 60% belongs to me .

You will be free to take out your commission immediately after the fund get to you . Since my objective is to invest the money in your country, it would be appreciated if you could also help me with advices and direction on investing into profitable ventures in your country.
However, this is optional, and if it is not convenient for you to further assist me with investing the money, we can end our cooperation after you make available to me my part of the money. The transaction, although discreet, is legitimate and the money will be transferred successfully with all necessary back-up official documents showing the legitimate source/origin of fund. The transfer will be effected as soon as we reach an agreement and you furnish me with a suitable response indicating your interest .
I plead with you on one issue, whether you are interested or not, kindly do not expose this information to any one else. I confirm that the transaction is legitimate and without any risks either to me or yourself. Please, give me your response immediately by returning this mail through my email address.

God Bless

Yours Faithfully,
Mr. James Koffi

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