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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. Thomas Amankwa" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <thomasamankwa21@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2019 01:01:18 +0100
Subject: Await your response.

Hello

Having studied your profile diligently, as it concerns your company; I am Mr. Thomas Amankwa, please I require your attention for us to discuss as it concern project deal undertaking. I am an accountant in the Ministry of Mines and Energy Ghana and also, I am a member of contracts awarding committee in this ministry.

I write to solicit your direct assistance in a funds transfer deal. Two year ago, Ghana government asked the committee to award contracts to foreign firms for the improvement of energy in the country, of which I used my office/position to deliberately over-invoice the contract sum to US$8.5 million. The contract value has been paid off to the actual contractors that executed these jobs while some is still going on. Hence, all I want now is a projective foreign partner like you that I can front with the banking account number to claim the over inflated sum.

Do confirm your understanding and willingness to partner with me in the transfer process and investing of this fund in any resourceful investment in your country or any other country where you have grounds. Please confirm your willingness to work with me by sending to me your full contact information as well as your valid identity, and then I will detail you the way forward.

Await your response.

Thanks,
Mr. Thomas Amankwa

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