419 scam: Joel Akoto <joelakoto4@gmail.com> I NEED YOUR URGENT REPLY

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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:
- "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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Joel Akoto <joelakoto4@gmail.com>
Reply-To: joelakoto1@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 06:52:48 -0800
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT REPLY

Attention;

Please I am very sorry to contact you through Email; it is because of
the urgency required in this Business.

My name is Mr. Joel Akoto. I am a Banker here in Republic of Ghana. I
got your contact from the Online Data Base. I need your help to
transfer the sum of US$4,500,000.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars) into your account as my Foreign Investment Partner.
The money is part of the Profits made by our Bank last year (i.e.
2013) in the Branch where I am the manager. I have since submitted my
annual report for last year to my Banks Head Office. The Head Office
has already confirmed my report and did not notice the Excess Profits.
I deposited the US$4,500,000.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars) in an Escrow account in my Branch without a Beneficiary
(Anonymous) to avoid any trace. I cannot be directly connected to this
Fund because I'm still working with the Bank. So, I need your help to
transfer this money to your Country for you and I to share.

I have the desire to invest my own share of the money in any good
Business venture over there in your Country. I wish to map out 10% of
this money to be shared among Charity Organizations, for the Remaining
90%, you have 40% of this money as my Foreign Partner and 50% will be
for me. There is no Risk involved because it will be a Bank-to-Bank
transfer or alternatively the Fund will be moved as a Consignment to
you. All I need from you is to stand as my Foreign Partner. I will
present your name as the owner of the money with the help of an
Attorney that I know very well. The Intended Transaction will be
executed under a legitimate Arrangement that will protect both of us
from any breach of the law. I will direct you to the Attorney that
represents both of us in the Transaction till the money gets to you
for Investment.

However, if this Business proposal offends your moral ethics, do
accept my Sincere Apology. If on the contrary you wish to achieve this
Goal with me, please kindly get back to me with your interest for
further Clarifications.

We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response.

Thanking you in advance for your anticipated co-operation.

Sincerely,
Mr.Joel Akoto

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam