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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: "Mr. Afiriyie Ata" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atayie59@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Jun 2017 09:09:32 -0000
Subject: Re: Attention please!

Dear friend,
 
I hope this letter meets you in good health. I am writing to solicit your assistance in the Transfer of US$16,000,000.00 Dollars.
 
I am willing to transfer the fund and, invest in your country through your assistance only if you will be willing work  with me. I am in Ghana presently and  I would like to transfer into your account and invest in your country if possible.
 
The fund is being held under a Non-investment account with SCB Ghana Limited.  I will program  your name on the account holding the fund as the original depositor and then process outward remittance of the funds to you.
 
You will get 45%% of the total funds for your role plus investment of my portion under a documented working agreement.
 
Please get back to me with your response.
 
With regards
 
Mr. Afiriyie Ata
SCB Ghana Ltd.
Tema Branch, Ghana

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