419 scam: "MR . FRANK KOJO" <mplazahotel@4u.com.gh> PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
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.
- frankkojo01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR . FRANK KOJO" <mplazahotel@4u.com.gh>
Reply-To: frankkojo01@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 01:23:27 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

From Mr. Frank Kojo
Ministry of Roads and High Ways
Republic of Ghana
P.O Box M3 Accra
Reply with this address: frankkojo01@gmail.com
30th April 2010

Attn:Dear Friend

Hi,
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

My name is Mr.Frank Kojo, Chairman Contract payment committee of Ministry
of Roads And
High Ways, Republic of Ghana. I am seeking your interest in this business
opportunity which arose in the ministry where I work. This opportunity comes
up ones in every 4years.

My ministry was nominated by the government of Republic of Ghana to award
Contracts to capable foreign contractors last three years for roads and
bridge constructions in the country. Meanwhile, the contracts have been
concluded this year 2010, and payment to contractors has started in earnest.

In this regard, I have got the opportunity to include only one foreign name
of my choice on the contract payment list. If I include your name, the
ministry will pay you (US D$6.2 Million). Therefore I seek your permission
to include your name for this on-going payment. Rest assured we are going to
achieve the best desired objective in this transaction as far as I remain an
active staff of the ministry. I will offer to you a compensation of 40% out
of the total contract payment for your kind assistance.

As soon as you declare your interest to work with me, I will forward to you
other details about the transaction. I want to assure you that it is going
to be a successful transaction and we shall remain grateful to each other
soonest. There are so many opportunities in the ministry here which we are
going to explore immediately after this. I therefore look forward to hearing
from you. I want you to know that I will give you all the necessarily
assistance you may need for a successful business as far as you will adhere
to my instructions

sincerely
Mr. Frank Kojo

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam