419 scam: Inspector Paul Richard <inspectorpaulrichardhg@rediffmail.com> ARE YOU STILL ALIVE OR DEAD?

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "death certificate" (this phrase is often used in inheritance scams such as next of kin or https://www.419scam.org/419-murdered-businessman.htm">orphan 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Inspector Paul Richard <inspectorpaulrichardhg@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: inspectorpaulrichardgha@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 03:56:02 -0800 (PST)
Subject: ARE YOU STILL ALIVE OR DEAD?

    FROM THE DESK OF THE INSPECTOR
            GENERAL OF POLICE (I.G.P)
            GHANA POLICE FORCE
            OSU HEADQUARTERS
            ACCRA GHANA
            DIRECT MOBILE : +233-200-690-968
            OFFICES TELL: +233-218-17441
            FAX: +233-218-16560

                                               FINANCIAL CRIME FIGHTERS

            Attention,

            My name is inspector Paul Richard; we have four suspects by name, Mr. Henshaw Kobina, Barrister Peter Mensah, Mr. Bernd Luettge from Germany and Mr. Kofi Kolebu. The 4 suspect are currently in our police custody for conspiracy and fraudulent activities.

            They where suspected to have arranged with Mr. Bernd Luettge of Germany to sign off your funds/consignment from it custody with a death certificate claiming that you are death, and that before your death you name Mr. Bernd Luettge of Germany as your next of kin and business partner which your lawyer singed saying that you authorized him to pay the charges needed by the government and withdraw the total amount if it happens that you did not make it at the hospital. We discovered some fake documents from them that stated the release of the funds/consignment which was the reason why we get them arrested to first of all follow the due process.

            Are you still alive or death? If yes, you have to get back to this office immediately, and if we did not hear from you within the next ten working days as the law demand, then we are going to set them free and confiscate it as government properties.

            Find an attached copy of the suspects if you are still alive and get back to us immediately to confirm if you are the one that has authorized Mr. Bernd Luettge who his passport is also attached to this email to come for your fund.

            We are waiting to hear from you as soon as possible to enable us take our decision, or you call me immediately.


            Your immediate response is need now.

            Thanks
            Yours faithfully
            Inspector Paul Richard
            Mobile: +233-200-690-968

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam