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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: General Jefftom <general_jefftom20@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: general_jeff_thomas@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:15:25 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF YOUR OVERDUE FOREIGN EXCHANGE


OFFICE OF THE SECURITY ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT
REPUBLIC OF GHANA
CASTLE HOUSE, NTSUMAWEM DISTRICT,
ACCRA-GHANA

Attn: Beneficiary

I am Lt. General Jeff Thomas, National Security Advisor to President
Republic of Ghana, PRESIDENT J.A.KOFOUR. I am delighted
to inform you that the contract panel, which concluded in Accra just
released your name amongst contractors to benefit from the Diplomatic
Payment. This Panel was primarily delegated to investigate manipulated
contract claims, contracts and over-invoiced payment as the effect has
eaten deep into the economy of our dear country.

However, we wish to bring to your notice that your contract profile is
still reflecting in our central computer as unpaid contractor while
auditing was going on. Your contract file was forwarded to my office by
the auditors as unclaimed fund. We wish to use this medium to inform you
that for the time being Government of Ghana have stopped
further payment through bank-to-bank transfer due to contractors numerous
petitions to United Nations against Ghana on wrong payment and
diversion of contract funds to different account.

In this case, we are going to send your contract part payment of Ten
Million United States dollars only to you via diplomatic cash payment.
Note that the money will be packaged as a consignment which will be
sealed with synthetic nylon and padded with machine. Please you don't have
to worry for anything, as the transaction is 100% risk free. The
Diplomatic agents will accompany the box to your house address. So all you
need to do now, is to send to me your full contact informations as stated
below.

1. Your full name
2. Full address
3. Direct Phone
4. Occupation, age and marital status
5. Copy of drivers license for identification

However, the Diplomatic agents will call you immediately they arrive at
the airport in your country airport. Please kindly get back to me with
the above requested informations so that we can proceed.

Note: The diplomat does not know the original contents of the box. What
l declared to them as the contents is Sensitive Photographic Film
Materials and jewelries. I did not tell them that it is money, so do not
reveal it to them for security reason. If they call you and ask you the
contents, please tell them the same thing Ok. Confirm the receipt of
this message and send the requirements needed to conclude your consignment
delivery to your doorstep. Please respond urgently because the
diplomats would be scheduled to leave as soon as we hear from you.

Thanks
Yours sincerely,
Lt. general Jeff Thomas


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