419 scam: "Dr. John Mensah" <info@minister.com> PLEASE CLARIFY THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- johnmensah@minister.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. John Mensah" <info@minister.com>
Reply-To: johnmensah@minister.com
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:13:03 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: PLEASE CLARIFY THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

PLEASE CLARIFY THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
From the Desk of: Dr. John Mensah

ATTENTION OF: BONAFIDE BENEFICIARY.

This is to remind you that your fund has been approved for payment. We are
contacting you to re-confirm your account coordinates/ your details, so
that we will NOT make wrong transfer of your fund and we would not be held
liable due to wrong disbursement of your fund.
This account information below was presented to us by your representative
where he would want the fund to be transferred into: Does this account
belongs to you?
BANK OF AMERICA, 21 W. BARTLETT AVE, OMAK,
WASHINGTON STATE!!!
98841, ROUTING#125000024, CHECKING#36093854,
SAVINGS: 036093854,
Let us know as soon as possible if you are the one that gave the approval
and the authorization to transfer your fund into the said account.
Otherwise we could also arrange and transfer your funds through another
means without much delay.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Contact me urgently and send your current details/telephone number so as
to contact you for verifications and payment.
Regards,
Dr. John Mensah ( johnmensah@minister.com )
Chairman of the Commission,
Federal Ministry of Finance, Ghana

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam