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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • mr.steven_kofi_eb@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Steven Kofi" <kofi_stvn@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2006 22:51:43 +0000
Subject: TREAT AS AN URGENCY MATTER

PLEASE, DO REPLY TO THIS EMAIL: mr.steven_kofi_eb@hotmail.com

From: Mr. Steven O.Kofi,
Eco Bank of Ghana,
Treasury/Credit Department,
Accra, Ghana.

Attn: ,

Permit me to inform you that I am the above named person, and head of the
above mentioned department.

In my position is an accrued/accumulated interest totaling to the tune of
Thirteen Million, Seven Hundred Thousand United State Dollars
(US$13,700,000) that we want to transfer abroad for our personal benefits.

The funds is an accrued/accumulated interest on money deposited by former
Rwanda President, Mr. Bizimugu. Note that the capital or initial deposit
(US$251MILLION) has been returned / paid back to the Rwanda government
leaving the accrued interest because they were not informed.

I am contacting you therefore to solicit your cooperation and consent to
provide a formidable bank account wherein the accrued interest
(US$13,700,000) could be wired into for the mutual benefit of us all.

It is 100% risk free as no person is aware of these funds.

Please indicate your interest to partake in this venture by sending your
bank account details where the money would be wired. Endeavor to state your
private phone and fax number. Terms shall be discussed on receipt of your
reply.

Be it known that it is purely on a private arrangement.

Treat with confidentiality and urgency.

Regards,

Mr. Steven O.Kofi
Director of Operations.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam