419 scam: "Matthews Ola" <mail@interior.gov.pk> Attn: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:

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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Matthews Ola" <mail@interior.gov.pk>
Reply-To: <olamatt11@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:42:20 -0800
Subject: Attn:confidential

Hello,

My name is Ola Matthews a partner/Member with AGRIC-PRO GH LTD, we are
contractors with the GHANA COCOA BOARD. Besides being a contractor, my
companyis also involved with exportation of Cocoa and also known with branches in
some strategic locations in my country.

Through a contact of mine With the Cocoa Board ,I executed a contract
here in Ghana two years ago which amounted to the sum of USD 9.5
Million which was paid in my account with an investment company here in
Ghana.Due to problems with Cocoa Smugglers who were caught smuggling
cocoa with my connections through Ivory coast- Ghana borders for sale to Cocoa
Merchants,I am being probed by my company {Agric-PRO GH LTD } for issues of
funds and illegal business transaction, and in order to move from the prying eyes
of my co-partners i now need a foreign company/partner to help me in the transfer
of these funds.It is my belief that some of my partners who are aware of this
funds are doing all they can to divert this funds to their own accounts if the
probing panel finds me guilty .

The company is aware of the USD 3.5M of the first contract payment{part
payment}Which is the only one accounted for.The CEO of the Investment Company who
happens to be a friend of mine is willing to help me release the balance sum of six
million(6,000,000.00) USD to any offshore account provided by me before the
end of this month . I will be willing to invest this amount into your project
and become a partner Additionally,I am willing to part with 20% of the 6
million USD to your company if and only you will assist me in transferring this sum
into your designated account offshore.

The necessary papers regarding the contract and the letter of offer will be
faxed or emailed to you and in return would also require your acceptance
letter before we can go ahead with this project.

REMEMBER THAT THIS TRANSACTION REQUIRES ABSOLUTE SECRECY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
FOR A SMOOTH COMPLETION THIS TRANSACTION IS REAL AND SERIOUS AND WE CAN COMPLETE
IT BEFORE THE DEADLINE WITH YOUR CO-OPERATION.
I look forward to your response.

Regards.
Ola Matthews.

Anti-fraud resources:

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