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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: <jonathan.campbell1974@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <john.amankwa@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 16:56:05 +0430
Subject: FUNDS TRANSFER PROPOSAL.

My name is Dr.John Amankwa, I am an accountant in accounting department of  Ministry of Roads and Highways Ghana. Also am a member of contracts awarding  committee of this ministry under Ghana government. This mail may come to you  as a surprise but be rest assured that this is not a hoax mail. I write to  solicit your assistance in a funds transfer deal involving  US$4,500,000.00.
 
 
Two years ago, Ghana government asked my committee to award  contracts to foreign firms, which I and my colleague With our good position,  deliberately over invoiced the contract sum to the tune of US$4,500,000:00 .The contracts value has been paid off to the actual contractors that executed  these jobs, all I want now is a trusted foreign partner like you that we  shall front with the banking account number to Claim the over inflated sum.
 
 
All I require is your honest cooperation an confidence in me which I know  would not come easy. I guarantee that this will be executed under a  legitimate background that will protect you from any breach of the law. I  would advise that you give this positive consideration and get back to me soon.
 
 
I'll be flexible and considerate in the percentage share that will be given  to you for your assistance I know there may be scams and junk mails on the  internet but certainly, this is not one.
 
 
Please do not fail to understand  that in spite of all that, opportunities of this kind still abound. If you  have ever wished or prayed for something good to come your way, now I urge  you to take this message seriously and with an open mind,you could never  know. This may be an answer to your prayers. Please do acknowledge your acceptance by forwarding the following to me:
 
 
(1) Your full name,
(2) Occupation,
(3) Your age
(4) Your private telephone and fax numbers,
(5) Country.
 
 
Kindly respond back to me to my email:john.amankwa@gmail.com
 
 
I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
 
 
Thanks and God Bless,
 
 
Dr.John Amankwa

Anti-fraud resources: