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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: "Akuffo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <asareakuffo@qq.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2014 03:23:58 +0100
Subject: LOAN ASSISTANCE/FINANCE

I am an International Financial Consultant and Managing Director of HFC Bank in Ghana, West Africa.
 
I am in control of privately owned funds placed for long term investments in form of Loans.
 
This funding capacity ranges from $1-500 Million USD.
 
If you have credible projects requiring funding or business clients in need of funds to expand existing projects, we would be obliged to work with you. Credible projects would be funded at a guaranteed 3% Fixed Interest Rate per annum.
 
Regards,
 
Asare Akuffo

Anti-fraud resources: