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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:

Fraud email example:

From: Steven Darko <stevdarko001@msn.com>
Reply-To: <stvedko@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 23 May 2012 10:21:08 +0000
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Para_su_co?= =?iso-8859-1?Q?nsideraci=F3?=
=?iso-8859-1?Q?n?=



De: Darko Sr. Steven
Contador de Proyectos
Departamento del Ministerio de Carreteras y Autopistas
Ghana

¡Hola

Le escribo para pedir su indulgencia en los fondos de remodelación para sintonizar de cuatro millones quinientos mil Dólares de los Estados Unidos (EE.UU. $ 4,5 millones), que queremos mantener de forma segura en el extranjero bajo su supervisión. En otras palabras, nos gustaría que para recibir dichos fondos en nuestro nombre. Los fondos se obtuvieron a lo largo del tiempo a partir de un proyecto adjudicado a una empresa extranjera por mi Departamento, y en la actualidad el costo real del contrato se han pagado a los ejecutores de los proyectos originales, dejando el saldo de la suma de la cantidad, dijo que tenemos en la aprobación de principio alcanzado a remitir en el extranjero.

Por favor perdonen el uso de un medio informal, ya que para llegar a usted para hacer un pedido de gran importancia para nosotros. Actualmente, me desempeño como Director de Proyectos en el Departamento de Minerales y Energía aquí en Ghana. Tengo la autoridad y la aprobación de mis socios que participan en esta operación para negociar una compensación adecuada por su participación y le propongo un 40% por ciento, mientras que también propongo que reciben el 60% por ciento.

Este esfuerzo tiene un factor de riesgo mínimo de su parte siempre y cuando lo tratan con la máxima discreción. Se recomienda ponerse en contacto conmigo a través de correo electrónico para mayores aclaraciones.
Le agradecería esperar a oír de usted.

Le saluda atentamente,

Sr. Steven Darko,

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

From: Mr. Steven Darko
Accountant of Projects
Department of Ministry of Roads and Highways
Ghana

Hello

I write to asking for your indulgence in re-profiling funds to tune of Four Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$4.5 Million) which we want to keep safely overseas under your supervision. In other words, we would like you to receive the said funds on our behalf. The Funds were derived over time from a project awarded to a foreign firm by my Department, and presently the actual contract cost have been paid to the original project executors, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount which we have in principle obtained approval to remit overseas.

Kindly pardon the use of a medium informal as this for reaching out to you to make a request of great importance to us. Currently, I work as a Director of Projects at the Department of Minerals & Energy here in Ghana. I have the authority and approval of my partners involved in this transaction to negotiate a suitable compensation for your participation and I propose 40% percent, while we also propose that we receive 60% percent.

This endeavor has a minimal risk factor on your part provided you treat it with the utmost discretion. You are advised to reach me through e mail for further clarifications.
I kindly wait to hear from you.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Steven Darko,


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