419 scam: "DR.PAUL KOFFI" <dr.paulkoffi_50@hotmail.com> VERY URGENT

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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "my direct line" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "DR.PAUL KOFFI" <dr.paulkoffi_50@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: dr.paulkoffi1950@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:41:18 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: VERY URGENT

Greetings to you,

I am aware that the Internet has become very
unsafe, but considering
the situation I have no option than to seek for
foreign

partnership through this medium.

For security reasons I will not disclose my
Identity until I am
fully convinced you are the right person for
this business

deal. I have access to very vital information
that can be used to
move the sum of USD$38.5m, Thirty Eight million
five

hundred thousand united states dollars to a
secured account.

We can meet in any of these locations Dubai,
Spain, UK, Canada,
South Africa,

Full details/modalities will be disclosed on
your expression of
Interest to partner with me.

I am open for negotiation Importantly the funds
to be transferred
has nothing to do with drugs, terrorism or Money

laundering. you can also call my direct line +
233 244503560,for the
urgent response of this mail.

Thanks for your anticipated corporation,

Dr. PAUL KOFFI

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam