419 scam: Kofi Ajyemang <kofi_ajye_1960@msn.com> Dear Sir/Madam,

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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.

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- ttttyyyg2@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Kofi Ajyemang <kofi_ajye_1960@msn.com>
Reply-To: <ttttyyyg2@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:13:30 +0000
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam,

Dear Sir/Madam, I have been in search of a foreigner with your last name that will be faithful to me, so when I saw your name I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other in this business. I am Mr. Kofi Ajyemang, a Banker here in GHANA. I believe it is the wish of God for me to come across you now. I am having an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you because, it is in connection with your last name and you are going to benefit from it. I write you this proposal in good faith, believing that I can trust you with the information I am about to reveal to you. My late client was a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank on 7th June 2008, for 36 calendar months, valued a US $15,500,000.00 (Fifteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars) and the mature date for this deposit contract was this 30th of August, 2011. Sadly Mr. Hermann was among the death victims in the 12 May 2008, Earthquake disaster in China that killed over 5,000 people. He was in China on a business trip and that was how he met his end. My bank management is yet to know about his death, but I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his account officer.
Late Mr. Hermann did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that I should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract. I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to know that he is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That was why when I saw your name I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same last name with him and my bank head quarters will release the account to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of law. It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream.
Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as a confidential matter and I have more to write you about the details once I receive your urgent response strictly through my personal Email address:ttttyyyg2@hotmail.com
Regards,
Kofi Ajyemang

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