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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: "Koffo Collins" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <koffocollins123@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2015 06:59:32 +0530
Subject: Compliment

 
Compliment of the day to you, I have a lucrative business proposal for you.
Let me start by introducing myself, I am Koffo Collins, of the Finance
department at Precious Mineral Marketing Company limited (PMMC) Ghana. My
primary assignment in the company is to make payment for contracts that
have been approved by management. In the course of payment of contracts
for the purchase of mining equipment, I inflated contract payment to the
tune of Five million seven hundred United states dollars.
 
I am seeking your indulgence and assistance in having this amount remitted
to your bank account for investment purposes. There is absolutely no
liability, be it civil or criminal on your part.
 
You will be compensated with 35% as commission for your assistance in
having this fund transferred to your account for investment purposes. More
details will be forwarded to you, should I receive a positive response
from you. I am Looking forward to having a healthy and lucrative business
relationship with you.
 
Thanking you in advance for your corporation.
Yours Sincerely,
Koffo Collins
 
 
 

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