419 scam: "Mr. Cole Ken"<cs@xjaic.gov.cn> I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT YOU?

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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "processing 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. )
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "economic and financial crimes commission" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2347044913211 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Cole Ken" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.coleken@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:17:54 -0430
Subject: I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT YOU?

Dear Beneficiary, I am Mr. Cole Ken. The director International Remittance department of Intercontinental Bank Plc. I have been instructed by Central Bank of Nigeria, IMF, World Bank, FBI, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Interpol to release your long await funds to you through Swift Telegraphic Wire Transfer to your nominated bank account on Monday 31st of December, 2012. The STWT will reflect in your bank account within 2hours upon confirmation of transfer from us and you will be given a conjunction remit code which you will use to access your funds in your account immediately and a transfer slip will be fax or emailed to you for your confirmation. The Swift Telegraphic Wire Transfer (STWT) processing fee is $185 only which is the only payment that will be required from you until you confirm your funds in your account. Please, send your full banking details now where you wish your funds to be transferred. The transfer cannot be retracted once it is remitted into your account and you will confirm funds within 2hours upon confirmation of transfer from us. Following is the details where you should send the STWT fee through MoneyGram or Western Union Money Transfer: Full Name: Cole Ken Address: Plot 290A, Akin Olugbade Street,Lagos Nigeria Question: STWT Answer: STWT Amount: $185 only NOTE: IF POSSIBLE, MAKE SURE YOU SEND THE PAYMENT TODAY TO ENABLE US RELEASE YOUR FUNDS TO YOU TOMORROW MORNING DUE TO TIME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US OR MAKE SURE YOU SEND THE PAYMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TOMORROW MORNING BEFORE THE END OF OUR BANKING HOUR TO ENABLE US RELEASE YOUR FUNDS TO YOU TOMORROW SO YOU CAN ALSO CONFIRM IT AND BE ABLE TO WITHDRAW SAMEDAY. Sincerely, Mr. Cole Ken. International Remittance Department. Intercontinental Bank PLC. Plot 290A, Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, 23401, Nigeria. E-mail: remittancedept@intercontinentalbankgroup.org Telephone: +234 704 491 3211 Intercontinental Bank Plc. All Rights Reserved.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam