419 scam: "Mensah Abedi"<mensahabe@iPal.com> Message From Mensah (GHANA)

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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:

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:
- "please endeavor to " (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)
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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 us 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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mensah Abedi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mensahabe0@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 01:17:21 -0800
Subject: Message From Mensah (GHANA)

Barrister Mensah Abedi
Profession; Legal Practitioner
Address; 147, Osu road Accra,
Ghana.

Hello

First I must apologize for this unsolicited mail to you. I am aware that this is certainly An unconventional approach to establishing a relationship, but you will realize the reason For my action after going through the mail.

I am Barrister Mensah Abedi, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Late Mr. Andrew George an American National, who until his death was an employee with Shell Oil Development Company in Accra, Ghana. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 3rd of November 2006, my client, his wife and their only daughter had a car accident along Tema highway Road Ghana, unfortunately they lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you as a foreigner to Assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated by The Security Company here where the huge deposits were lodged

Particularly, Standard Charted security company, Accra-Ghana. Were the deceased had Consignment deposited valued at over ($12.7Million US Dollars) has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the consignment confiscated. Since I have been Unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over a year now I seek your consent to Present you as the next of kin to the deceased , so that the proceeds of this account valued at over ($12.7million US dollars) can be delivered to you as the next of kin. The total sum will be shared as follows: 45% for you, 50% for me, and then the remaining 5% will be used for the reimbursement of all the expenses that will be incurred in the process of this transaction. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may stand to make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this project through.

There is no risk involved what so ever on this transaction please. These consignments will be transferred in your favor upon proper application to the company. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please endeavor to keep this business confidential.

I will be glad if this is acceptable for you in assisting my family.

Awaiting your urgent and candid reply

Best regards,
Mensah Abedi. Esq.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam