419 scam: <kossi_rotimi@excite.co.jp> (Urgent & Confidential)

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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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: <kossi_rotimi@excite.co.jp>
Reply-To: rotimi.paass@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2018 02:57:27 +0900
Subject: (Urgent & Confidential)

Respected Friend,

I am Mr. Kossi Rotimi Paass the Director General of Ecobank Togo. Forgive my indignation if this message comes to you as a surprise. I came into contact with your profile in my intense search for a credible partner (BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP) across the global. There is consignment box of fund worth ($B!r(B30,000,000) Million Pound and 650 KG of Gold bar dormant for several years I want us to work together in claim and transfer to your position.

Also be assured that this transaction is 100% risk free. On conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 50% of the total sum as gratification because you will handle expense in advance while 50% will be for me.

Please, you are advised to keep this a top secret as I am still in service and intend to retire from service after I conclude this deal with you.

I look forward to receive your urgent reply.
Best Regards,
Director, Kossi Rotimi

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam