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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.

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

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Kojo Agyei" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrkojo@datafull.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:53:03 +0100
Subject: Special Interest!!

TOP SECRET & Special Interest!!
 
Dear Sir,
In brief introduction, My name is Mr.Kojo Agyei, the Director in charge of Auditing and Account Department of Ghana Commercial Bank Ltd, also the Chairman of Investigating and Auditing Department of this Bank, With due respect and regard, I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us and our families as well. I have taken my time to contact you through personal endeavours.During a routine audit check months ago, I discovered a fixed deposit accounts that have been dormant for the last eight (8) years. The account belongs to a single holder with total amount slightly above $7.1 Million United States Dollars. Banking regulation/legislation in Ghana demands that I notify the Office of Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) after a statutory time period of nine years when dormant accounts of this type are discovered. The above set of facts underscores my reason of writing to you and making the following proposal.
My investigations of the said account reveals that the investor died in 1999 - the exact time the account was last operated. I can confirm with certainty that the said investor died INTESTATE and named no next-of-kin to this account. I am of the settled conviction that using my experience and working with you, we can state you as the next-of-kin (beneficiary) of the Fixed Deposit and claim it instead of allowing it passed on as unclaimed fund into the coffers of the Ghana Government. This is easily possible as you bear the same LAST NAME and NATIONALITY to the said investor, and can stand as his extended relative. This is exactly why I am contacting you.
I have all relevant details of this account both (Legal and Banking) that will facilitate my putting you forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the said funds and ultimately transfer the money to an account nominated by you. If necessary, we can easily open a new account on your name for this purpose. If you accept to cooperate with me, we will agree unquestionably on adequate compensation for you after we successfully get the money transferred to you.
I will tell you more details of this transaction when I receive confirmation of your desire to participate.  Be assured that I am completely committed to the situation. There will be no risk involved whatsoever if you agree to co-operate but we need to keep the plan totally PRIVATE. I fully guarantee that the transaction will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect both you and me from any breach of law.
Please reply to me once you receive this message so that I give you full details. Once more I only need your acceptance because of the similarity of names to legitimise this. Please reply using asap,indicating your telephone number and address so that I will call you back.
Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.
 
Kind Regards,
Mr.Kojo Agyei
E Mail: mrkojo@datafull.com

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