419 scam: "Mr. Kofi Asiedu" <info@kofi.org> This transaction is 100% legal.

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "huge deposit" (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)
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "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)
- "contact me immediately" (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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- koffiasiedumessage3@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Kofi Asiedu" <info@kofi.org>
Reply-To: koffiasiedumessage3@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2023 11:27:05 -0700
Subject: This transaction is 100% legal.

Dear Friend,

Firstly, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction; this is by
virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and top secret. Though I know that a transaction of this magnitude will make anyone apprehensive and worried, I am assuring you that all will be well at the end of the day.

I am Mr. Kofi Asiedu. from Ghana . I am the account manager for Mr. Sergey Kulakov,a national of Russia who used to work with Shell-development Company in Accra-Ghana. On the 21st of April 2020,my good friend/business partner died of coronavirus.

I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client and a good friend before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit is lodged.

Particularly, the bank where my client had an account valued at about
$15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million United States Dollars )has issued me a
notice as his account officer to provide his next of kin or have the
account confiscated within the next 14 official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for quite a long period of time. now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since I have contacted a lawyer who will help us to secure all the legal documents to back you as the legal next of kin to the deceased, so that the proceeds of this cash valued us$ 15 Million will be paid to you for both of us to share. 60% for me and 40% for you.

The lawyer will assist us in securing all necessary legal documents in
your favor that can be used to back up the legal claim and I have also
discussed this matter with legal practitioners who have agreed to work
with us to ensure successful release of the fund to you after due process for both of us to share.

This transaction is 100% legal/risk free so you have nothing to worry about.

All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us to conclude this
deal. Contact me immediately so that we can discuss this issue.

Email: koffiasiedumessage3@gmail.com
Whatsapp Number: +233264001356.

Yours faithfully.

Mr. Kofi Asiedu.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam