419 scam: "Comptroller Serge Koffi"<comptrollerserge_benincustom@yahoo.com> Hello Friend........I This Is For Your Past Efforts.

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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
- tony_integrity1@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Comptroller Serge Koffi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tony_integrity1@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2012 08:50:56 +0100
Subject: Hello Friend........I This Is For Your Past Efforts.

Hello my good friend,

I know that you will really be surprised that I have chosen to email you once again. I’m happy to inform you about my success in getting the transaction completed under the co-operation of my new partner, a Malaysian national. I'm pleased to inform you too that I'm presently here in Malaysia with my new partner and we have started with our investment project in Malaysia. Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in the realization of this endeavor despite the fact that it failed then, because of your inability in believing in me. Though I appreciated your time, efforts you invested to make this a reality.

As well I thank you for keeping the transaction strictly personal to yourself till date. I want you to know that your strict compliance to confidentiality required in this endeavor contributed to its success. In the light of the above, I want to stand by my initial promise to compensate you with 10% of the total amount, so I'm happy to inform you that your certified bank draft of $500,000USD (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) is under the custody of my secretary (Mr. Tony Onu) This is just to show my appreciation for your past efforst, confidentiality and to prove to you that there are still decent and honest persons that keeps their promise.

I will like you to contact Mr. Tony Alex on his direct email address: tony_integrity1@yahoo.com, for the collection of your Bank Draft worth the sum of $500,000 dollars. I authorized him to release the Bank Draft to you as soon as you contact him. At the moment,I'm very busy here with my investment projects, which I and my new partner are having at hand.

Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart, all you have to do is to comply with Mr. Tony Alex's directives to enable him send your Bank Draft to your home address.

CONTACT: Mr. Tony Alex
Cotonou, Benin Republic,
Email : tony_integrity1@yahoo.com

Therefore, you should reconfirm to him your full details such as: Name, telephone number and your home address where you want him to send the Bank Draft to you.

Hoping to hear from you.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam