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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: "DR WILLIAM KOFFI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drwilliamkoffi@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 21:31:19 -0700
Subject: GOOD DAY

DEAR SIR/MA,
GOOD DAY TO YOU TODAY.
ACCOUNT PROVISION FOR USD$32M
Forgive my indignation if this message comes to you as a surprise and
if it might offend you without your prior consent and writing through
this channel.
I am Dr william koffi,The Chairman, Contract Awarding committee of the
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES ( ECOWAS)with Headquarters
in Lome, Togo.
I got your contact through Network on line in my search for a reliable
and reputable person to handle a very confidential transaction that
involves a transfer of fund to a foreign account and I decided to
write you.
After discussing my view and your profile with my colleagues,they were
very much satisfied and decided to contact you immediately for this
mutual business relationship.We wish to transfer the sum of USD 32m
(Thirty-Two Million United States Dollars only.)into your personal or
company`s bank account.
This fund was a residue of the over invoiced contract bills awarded by
us for the supply of ammunition, hard/software,pharmaceuticals/medical
items,light and heavy duty vehicles, apparels and other administrative
logistics etc for the ECOMOG in Sierria-Leone,Liberia and Cote
d'Ivoire during the Peace Keeping Projects.
This DEAL was deliberately hatched out and carefully protected with
all the attendant lope holes sealed off.As the Chairman of CAC,I have
the cooperation and mandate of the Financial Director and the
Secretary of the Organization.We arranged and over invoiced the
contract funds supplied by different companies from different
countries during the crisis.
It was our consensus to seek the assistance of a willing foreigner to
provide us with the facilities to transfer this money out of West
Africa.This is borne out of our belief in the non-stable and porous
political nature of this sub-region.This balance is suspended in the
escrow accounts awaiting claims by any foreign company of our
choice.We intend to pay out this fund now as the organization is
winding up its activities since the aim of returning PEACE to the
countries and the coast has been achieved.
Based on the laws and ethics of employment,we as civil servants
working under this organization, are not allowed to operate a foreign
account.
This is the more reason why we needed your assistance to provide an
account that can sustain this fund for safe keeping and our future
investment with your comprehensive advise,assistance and partnership
in your country.
It is however agreed,as the account owner in this deal to allow you
30% of the entire sum as compensation, 65% will be held on trust for
us while 5% will be used to defray any incidental charges and cost
during the course of the transaction.
This transaction will be successfully concluded within 14 days if you
accord us your unalloyed and due cooperation.You should provide the
followings:
YOUR COMPANY`S NAME WITH COMPLETE ADDRESS,
TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS.(if available)
THE NAME OF YOUR BANK,ITS ADDRESS WITH TEL,FAX AND YOUR ACCOUNT
NUMBER, THE COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF THE BENEFICIARY WITH TELEPHONE
AND FAX NUMBERS.
Upon the receipt of this information,i will forward them to the
organization for ratification and subsequent payment. As with the case
of all organized (sensitive)and conspired DEALS,we solicit for your
unreserved confidentiality and utmost secret in this business. We hope
to retire peacefully and leave a honorable business life
afterwards.There are no risks involved.
Contact me only on this email address; drwilliam_koffi72@yahoo.com
With regards
Dr william koffi
drwilliam_koffi72@yahoo.com
 

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