419 scam: "Arnold Osah"<feedback@omanexchange.com> Attention: Sir/Madam, Please reply/call me.

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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:
- "mobilization fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "huge deposit" (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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Arnold Osah" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <osah.l_arnold@kimo.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 23:52:13 -0300
Subject: Attention: Sir/Madam, Please reply/call me.

Attention: Sir/Madam,

My name is Mr. Arnold L. Osah, a solicitor and personal lawyer to late Mrs. Emily client of mine, who has a servicing firm affiliated with the Ghanaian Ports Authority.

She was awarded a contract worth of (US$48,600,000.00). Immediately this contract was signed, an initial amount of (US$32.000, 000.00) was paid to her as mobilization fee to kick off the contract. she duly completed this contract pending when her remaining balance of (US$16,600,000.00) will be paid to her. On the 2nd May 2010, my client, her family were involved in a ghastly boat capsize in Accra-Ghana. Unfortunately, all the occupants in the boat lost their lives.

Not too long after her untimely death, her outstanding balance of US$16,600,000.00 was approved and deposited in a Bank here. Right now the funds are still floating unclaimed in the suspense account of the offshore correspondence payment centre here.

I have reasoned very professionally and I feel it will be legally proper to present you as the next of kin, so that you can be paid the remaining balance of her contract funds left in the Bank, hence I contacted you. I am offering you this opportunity by contacting you to assist in repatriating the fund and property left behind by my client before they gets unserviceable by the Bank where this huge deposit were lodged. The Ports Authority issued me a notice as the financial lawyer/adviser to the deceased to provide the Next of Kin, or have this Account confiscated in a short period of time since I have been unsuccessful in locating the real relatives for over a year that I have been searching.

I seek your concept to present you as the Next of Kin or family member to the deceased since you are at an advantage bearing the same last name so that the proceeds of this remaining balance of her contract funds valued at (US$16,600,000.00) can be paid to you, and we shall both share the funds 50% / 50%, and a certain amount will be for any incurred expenses and for donation to charitable organizations.

I have all the necessary legal documents that will be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this opportunity through. I guarantee that this will be executed under proper legitimate arrangements that will protect you from any breach of the law after the transfer is done, then you and l can share the fund.

I will review further informations/details to you as soon as I receive your positive reply.

Regards,
Mr. Arnold Osah.

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