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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: paul a <g.bog11@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <paulacquahgovatgob@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2007 22:38:52 +0000
Subject: THE GOVERNOR


FROM THE DESK OF
THE GOVERNOR
BANK OF GHANA
(BOG)REPUBLIC OF GHANA

Dear Sir/Madam,

IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF YOUR CONTRACT/INHERITANCE ON CONTRACT #:MAV/GNPC/GH/MIN/009.

>From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Government of Ghana, your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payments. I wish to inform you that your payment is being approved and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.

Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is US$15.7 million dollars (Fifteen Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollar. Please re-confirm to me if this is in-line with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, Fax and Mobile Number
3) Company name and Address
4) Bank account details, Swift Code, Account Number and Beneficiary
5) Any kind of identification.

As soon as this information are received, your payment will be made to you by telegraphic wired transfer, certified bank draft or by diplomatic courier payment base on your choice, and will directly from Bank of Ghana and the copy of transfer slip or payment backup documents will be given to you for you to take to your bank and confirm it. Get back to me as soon as you receive this mail for more details.

Cordially yours,

Dr. Paul Acquah
Governor (BOG)

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