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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: "Jonas Cocoty" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jonascocoty@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:19:11 -0700
Subject: Good Day.

From the office of barrister Jonas Cocoty
Legal Practitioner, Solicitors,
Advocates and Legal Consultant
Of The Supreme Court
205 Spintex road Accra
Ghana West-Africa
 
Hello Dear,
 
Before I proceed I must first apologize for this unsolicited mail to you, I am aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach to start a relationship, but as time goes on you will realize the need for my action.
 
I am Barrister Jonas Cocoty, a legal practitioner, and the personal attorney to late Mr. George Wood, a national Of your country, who used to work with a Gold Mining Company here in Accra Ghana, he used to be my client. On the 21st October, 2008, my client, his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car accident along Kumasi express Road here in Ghana.
All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.
 
After these several unsuccessful attempts, to locate any member of his family but know were to fine his family members. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the fund valued at US$12.5 million left behind by my late client before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana Ltd where this huge amount were deposited.
The said Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana has issued me a notice letter to provide the next of kin to my late client or have his account confiscated within the next twenty one (21) working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3years now, I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased , so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to your account.
 
I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for claim. All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.
I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
 
I wait for your urgent response.
Best Regards,
Jonas Cocoty, Esq

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