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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: PRIVATE OFFICE <pnewslink@yahoo.pt>
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2015 11:05:42 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: I NEED YOUR TRUST.


Good day to you Sir/Madam,

I seek your better understanding considering the nature of my Letter to you.
I am Dr. P.A. Kuranchie,the Branch Manager INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK OF GHANA (ICB).

I am writing in respect of the former head of TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT OF GHANA GOLD COMPANY who died in a plane crash [Korean Air Flight 801] with the whole passengers on board on August 6, 1997. Since the demise of this customer, I personally have watched with keen interest to see the next of kin but all has proved abortive as no one has come to claim his funds of USD$4,700.000 .00 (FOUR MILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DOLLARS) which has been with our branch for a very long time. On this note, I decided to seek for whom his name shall be used as the Next of Kin as no one has come up as his next of kin. And the banking ethics here does not allow such money to stay long in the bank else it will be return to the bank escrow account as unclaimed funds.
 
In view of this I got your reference in my search for someone I will use in this great opportunity.Upon receipt of your response, I will send you letter of application which you will send to the foreign transfer department for immediate transfer of the fund into your personal/company's bank  account. I will not fail to bring to your notice that this business is hitch free and that you should not entertain any fear as all modalities for the smooth and easy transfer of this fund has been finalized, this transaction will be completed within five banking days. I now solicit for your assistance to present you as the next of kin to the deceased as every other arrangement has been concluded by me.
 
Please go through this message carefully and if you are interested, kindly notify me urgently via my private email addresses: (pakuranchieoffice@yahoo.com), as time is of great essence in this transaction. Upon your acceptance to assist me I shall provide you with more information. Sorry and over look this business proposition if it offends your moral and ethic values.
 
Have a wonderful day,

Dr. P.A. Kuranchie
Branch Manager
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK OF GHANA
(ICB).



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