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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "transfer into your account" (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.
  • skyebankgha@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: skyebankgh01@sify.com
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 23:08:15 +0600 (IST)
Subject: Still Waiting For Your Immediate Reply.




Mr. Martins Smith

Syke Bank

Accra Ghana





Attn: Sir,



RE: Swift Transfer Of US$4.5 Million



I am Mr. Martins Smith, Director of Skye Bank Ghana.



This is to officially inform you that sometime ago, in our bank your contract fund was brought to our bank from Economic Community of West African Foreign Contractor Payment Panel made of the subsequent countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Rep. Benin, Senegal, Ivory-coast, Gambia, Mali, etc. (Ecowas), AND AFTER SOME PERIOD, They call the fund bank to their treasury in World Bank. For this period of time the fund was in our bank, it generated an interest of US$4.5 Million, which we considered your long suffering as one of the West African Countries contractors that has not received his/her payment and we decide to pay you this interest fund via Swift Transfer into your account.



What we need from you to now is any form of your identification for example; you’re international passport number or your driving license number, your telephone and fax number for easy communication.



In view of this you are hereby instructed to contact this office immediately through this fax/Email message and reconfirm your bank particulars.



The Skye Bank therefore apologizing for any form of delay you might have encountered in the course of the transfer.



We poised to serve you better, waiting to hear from you, please do reply to this E-mail: skyebankgha@yahoo.com for more clarification.



Thanks and God bless you in all your endeavors towards this transaction.



Best Regards,



Mr. Martins Smith

Syke Bank

Accra Ghana

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam