419 scam: "Mr.Kwaku Kofi"<kwaku_kofi01@hotmail.com> CONTRACT #: MAV/ACPC/FGN/GH/008

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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)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
- kwakukofi01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Kwaku Kofi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kwaku-kofi01@live.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:54:11 -0800
Subject: CONTRACT #: MAV/ACPC/FGN/GH/008

CONTRACT #: MAV/ACPC/FGN/GH/008,
Swift Code: SCB/AGH/IRD,
A/C #193/505/202344
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
Standard Chattered Bank Accra Ghana.
Our Ref: SCB/IRD/CAX/021/08
>From the office of Mr. Kwaku Kofi
General Manager, Standard Chattered Bank Accra Ghana.

Dear Friend.

I am Mr. Kwaku kofi the General Manager of Standard Chattered Bank Accra Ghana. Since my assumption of office, I have been able to offset most Overdue Contract that sum up to(USD$5M) owed by the Government of Ghana to Foreign contractors in the past years. In the process of these payments I discovered through investigation that my predecessor moved out the above-mentioned sum outside but was unable to conclude the transaction before he was removed out of office unaware and the bank codes were changed. The fund originated from the balance of over-invoiced sum and Influenced government contracts of which the principal sum had been paid to foreign contractors that executed their contract some years ago. This fund is now in vault of our bank as suspense account which will be moved by Certified Bank Draft within one week as bank external audit capital reconciliation for perfection of account balance coordinates. I have concluded all necessary arrangements for the Funds to an account, Contacting you on this issue
Therefore, what is required from you is trust and honesty. No further documentation, Just to change the ownership to your name No travel is required, I will forward an account where my share will be further transferred to, when the money reaches your bank. At the moment I can only give information that are reasonably able to assist the transaction without jeopardizing my esteem position in the bank.

Please send detail information,

1. Your Full Names
2. Your Cell telephone Number
3. Profession
4. Age/Sex
5. Marital Status
6. Mailing Address

You can email now to indicate your wiliness, Thanks in advance for a mutual and fruitful Business association.

Regards,
Mr. Kwaku Kofi
the General Manager,
Standard Chattered Bank Accra Ghana
Reply to me on:kwakukofi01@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam