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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: "William" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <boafoforiwchambers@consultant.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2017 07:58:47 -0700
Subject: From: Barrister William

Hello Friend
 
My name is Barrister Boafo William Ofori, Esq, Special Counsel Consultant and Solicitor at William & Kurth LLP Law Firm Accra Ghana. Please your urgent attention to this matter would be appreciated.
 
A deceased client by name Mr. Michael, who died with his wife and only son in a car accident in 2014, He left his properties behind, including his house and he was into Mining, Oil and Gas. He was a successful business man before he died, I am searching for his relatives to claim his funds of Seven Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars (US$7,250.000.00) abandoned in the bank here in Accra Ghana and his properties.
 
Are you related to Mr. Michael? I decided to contact you because he bears the same last name with you and he is also from the same country with you.
 
I await your urgent reply,
Respectfully
 
Barrister Boafo William Ofori,Esq.
(Special Counsel)
William Kurth
No.9811 HBACHIS ROAD, ACCRA-GHANA
P.O.BOX 23377
 

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