419 scam: "Mr. Sam Appiah"<appiah.sam72@yahoo.com> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES COMMISSION

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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Sam Appiah" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <appiah.sam@ghicpc.org>
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2012 01:28:00 -0800
Subject: FROM THE OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES COMMISSION

OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES COMMISSION

ONE THORPE ROAD

P.O.BOX GP 2674

ACCRA, GHANA

Our Ref: GP/IMF/SUB-C/4/00-ACC

File Code: VANQUIS/4917-5431-6069-5131

I write to inform you that all payments and file records of all outstanding foreign debts are been put on hold for verting. I have a mandatory instruction from the President (John Dramani Mahama) that all debts payment owed long before now should be released to the beneficiaries forth with unconditionally and submit my reports before the end of the month.

>From the records of outstanding debts due for payment with the Ghana Government your file and details was discovered amongst next on the list, which have not received their payments Compensation of 8,000,000.00 GBP British Pounds, this has necessitated my contacting you.

After the payments verification exercise of the local contractors, the payments of foreign contractor is hereby forthwith, your kind attention is highly required for the remittance of your payment. From the file records, please re-confirm the above information as been true. We wish to inform you that your payments will come through the Automatic Teller Machine card which will be processed and dispatched to you soonest. And payment will come through our corresponding financial firm.

Regards,

Sam Appiah

Tel: +233545796091

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam