419 scam: "Lt. Gen. Larry Sewell"<presidency@senatehouseofholdings.com> From: Lt General John Ofori.

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "diplomatic immunity"
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "consignment " (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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: "Lt. Gen. Larry Sewell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <larrysewell@senatehouseofholdings.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:19:42 -0700
Subject: From: Lt General John Ofori.

CONFIDENTIAL DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY PAYMENT

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Lt General John Ofori (Rtd), National Special Adviser to President Atta Mills President of Republic of Ghana I am delighted to inform you that the contract panel, which just concluded its seating in Accra-Ghana just released your name amongst contractors/inheritance to benefit from the Diplomatic Immunity 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 Ghana.

However, we wish to bring to your notice that your contract/Inheritance 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 Nigeria have stopped further payment through bank to bank transfer due to contractors numerous petitions to United Nations against Nigeria on wrong payment and diversion of contract/inheritance funds to different account.

In this regards we are going to send your contract/inheritance part payment of 2.6Million USD.To you via our accredited shipping company and I have secured every needed documents to cover the money. Note: The money is coming on a security proof box. The box is sealed with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine.

Please you don't have to worry for anything, as the transaction is 100% risk free. The box is coming with a Diplomatic agent who will accompany the boxes to your house address. All you need to do now is to send to me your full house address and your identity such as, international Passport or drivers license and your mobile phone and telephone number, The Diplomatic Attach?will travel with it. He will call you immediately he arrives your state airport. I hope you understand me.

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 for security reasons your consignment is currently in USA right now pending when you respond to this letter then we will give you information details of who to contact regarding delivery to your home address.

I did not declare money to them please.If they call you and ask you the contents please tell them the same thing Ok.Call me on my direct phone (+233242633650) and I will let you know how far I have gone with the arrangement.

Please note that the Diplomatic immunity clearance certificate has been secured on your behalf which will make it pass every custom checkpoint all over the world without hitch.

Confirm the receipt of this message and send the requirements to me immediately you receive this message. Please I need urgent reply because the box is schedule to live as soon as we hear from you
To make things easier and faster all beneficiarys are responsible for insuring of consignment and delivery charges

Contact The diplomat incharge of Delivery in United states for update also provide him your full contact details aslo with copy of your identification:

Name: Mr. Larry Sewell
Tel: +1-805-308-3306
Email: larrysewell@senatehouseofholdings.com

Call me immediately.

Congratulations.

Best Regards,

Lt General John Ofori (Rtd).
National Security Adviser to the President
Republic of Ghana

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam