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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united state dollars" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Paul Acquah" <drjk3242@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dracquah@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 09:45:39 -0700
Subject: PAYMENT UPDATE


From The Desk Of:
Dr Paul Acquah.
Executive Governor
Bank of Ghana.

Attention,

In our response to instruction from the Federal Government of Ghana, to
release and pay you your US$10.7m (Ten million, Seven hundred thousand
United State dollars) as your contract payment.

I, Dr. Paul Acquah, The Governor Bank of Ghana, Accra Ghana, in conjunction
with the undersigned authorities on this day issue the release of your funds
payment of US$10.7m (Ten million, Seven hundred thousand United State
dollars) by Diplomatic Courier Delivery.

As a result of Terrorist Attack in America and its Global effect, the
Federal Government of Ghana has directed that all foreign payment at this
time that involved huge sums of money should be paid by this method as
measure to check Terrorist Account Operation.

As a result of that, we are using this method to pay our customers outside
the country.

In line with this development, you are hereby advice to forward your address
where you would like the Fund to be delivered including your current
Telephone Numbers.

As soon as the above mentioned details are received, your payment will be
made to you via diplomatic courier delivery.

A diplomat with International travel immunity will be contracted to deliver
the funds at your doorstep.

Dr Paul Acquah,
Executive Governor,
Bank of Ghana (BOG).

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam