419 scam: "Michael A. Kofflin"<mail631@gmail.com> VERIFICATION

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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:
- "consignment " (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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- kofflin2@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael A. Kofflin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kollin002@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:09:31 -0000
Subject: VERIFICATION

Attention My Dear.

Happy New Year.

After our meeting with World bank President, the United States of American President/ the Nigerian President on the 1st Dec 2013 we all agreed that all the foreign contractors that executed contract in Nigeria that have not received their full payment will receive compensation of $1.8 million just to redeem the bad image of Nigeria, your will receive this compensation through approved courier company.

Forward immediately your address where you wish to receive your consignment funds of $1.8m via courier.

Send your cell phone number; tell me your age and your occupation. If you agree with me, you must respond to me immediatelly through my private email: kofflin2@yahoo.com

In fact the Almighty God has answered your prayers.

Treat this very urgent

Dr Michael Kofflin

Consultant to the President.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam