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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "to your nominated bank 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.
  • drpaulakua@aol.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Paul Acquah" <drpaul0007@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:00:19 -0500
Subject: Confidential letter from Bank Of Ghana (BOG).

BANK OF GHANA
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT.
CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS.
Physical Address: High Street Accra, Ghana.
Postal Address: P O Box 2674 Accra, Ghana.
Direct line: +233-24-919-9376

ATTN: HONORABLE CONTRACTOR.
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION CONTRACT NUMBER #:
BOG/NPG/FGG/MIN/007

The acknowledgement, of your immediate contract payment. Contract Number #:
BOG/NPG/FGG/MIN/007. On behalf of the entire staff of BANK OF GHANA, and the
Federal Government of Ghana in collaborated with the authorities, which are
in charge of foreign contract payments. We Apologies, for the delay of your
Contract payment and the inconveniences and Inflict that we might have
indulge you through.

However, we are having some minor problems with our payment system, which
have demoralized us, also have caused a lot of predicament to this
organization, which is inexplicable? And have held us indolent, not having
the perseverance and aspiration to devote our 100% standard assiduity in
accrediting foreign contract payments. Once again, our apologies for all
inconveniences.

From the Records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the federal
government of Ghana, your name and company was discovered as next on the
list of the outstanding contractors who have not yet received their
payments.

I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole, and can
be voguish for that your payment is being processed and will be released to
you as soon as you respond to this authorization letter. Also note that from
my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is US$34,650,000.00
(Thirty four Million six hundred and fifty thousand United States Dollars).


Kindly re-confirm the following details to us:
1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Working I'd

As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to you
via Certified Bank Draft or direct cash wire transfer to your nominated bank
account, directly from Bank Of Ghana.

Best Regards,
Dr. Paul A. Acquah
Governor, Bank Of Ghana (BOG).
I have sent a copy of this letter to myself, do remember to contact me via
my private Email: - drpaulakua@aol.com, dr_paul_acquah@msn.com

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam