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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "ben mensah" <dbmensah004@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dbmensah@live.com
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 21:00:09 -0700
Subject: greetings


Dr Ben Mensah
Auditing and Accounting Unit
Foreign Operations Department
African Development Bank, Osu Branch
Accra Ghana.


Greetings Dear,

I am Dr Ben Mensah the Director in charge of Auditing and Accounting
section African Development Bank,Accra Ghana and also Chairman of
Investigating and Auditing Department of this Bank. With due respect and
regard, I have decided to contact you on a Business Transaction that will be
very beneficial to both of us and our families at the end of this
transaction.

During our Investigation and Auditing in this Bank, my department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to one Deceased customer who were
involved in a car accident On the 7th June, 2007 along Takradi express Road.
All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I
have made several enquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients
extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.


As the fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank without any body
coming for the claim either from his family or relation because he did not
indicate any next of kin to this account.The amount in the dormant account
is Fourteen Million United States Dollars (US$11 200,000.00) .As it may
interest you to know, I got your contact my sister inlaw that work with the
Ghana Chamber of Commerce on foreign relations though I did not disclose why
i needed a foreign contact and only told the director on seat it was for
retirement and investment purposes.

Meanwhile as a Senior Staff in this bank, and the Director of Auditing and
Accounting, I have in my possession all the necessary documents to perfect
this deal by making you the bonafide next of kin/Partner whom this money
will be transferred into your account. I need your assistance and
co-operation to get this deal done. Because as a foreigner, you stand a
better position to be presented through documentation as the next of
kin/Partner since the deceased is also a foreigner, this is the reason why I
could not do this deal alone as a staff of the bank as well.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On
smooth Conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the
total sum as gratification, while 10% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills, while 60% will be for me and my partner. Please, you have been
advised tokeep this "Top Secret" as we are still in service and intend to
retire from service after we conclude this deal with you.

I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm
the money in your bank account.I come down to your country for subsequent
sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated and
further investment under your management,either in your country or any
country you advice us to invest in.

All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when I hear from
you. I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in
this deal.

I am expecting your urgent reply as soon as you receive this message.

God bless you And your family.

Dr Ben Mensah

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