419 scam: "Dr. Oscar Edward Mensah" <oscaredmensah@yahoo.es> FROM THE DESK OF: Dr. Oscar Edward Mensah

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states 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)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
- oscaremensah@yahoo.es (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Oscar Edward Mensah" <oscaredmensah@yahoo.es> (may be fake)
Reply-To: oscaremensah@yahoo.es
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:18:57 +0900
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF: Dr. Oscar Edward Mensah

DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS & ENERGY RESOURCES,
ACCRA, GHANA.
FROM THE DESK OF: Dr. Oscar Eward Mensah,
(Manager 14 Project Allocation).

Dear Friend,

It is indeed my pleasure to write you this business offer. I am writing to solicit your assistance in a business partnership that could be of mutual benefit to both of us. I hope that you read thoroughly and respond as promptly as possible. I wrote this business request while I was on official visit to Vienna Austria.

I am a member of the contract award committee, of the department of Energy & Natural Resources in Ghana. I am in search of an agent to assist us in the transfer of Two hundred and Twenty Million United States Dollars (US$220M), and subsequent investment in properties in your country.

With the co-operation of top senior partner of mine, we are confident that our claim of US$220 Million shall be granted being for contract work executed at the Ministry of Minerals and Energy. Payment shall then be transferred upon approval to a safe account that would be provided by you in other words, if you accept to be our partner then you shall be considered given the pertinent documentation to certify that your company had been awarded a contract already executed, for which the total sum of US$220 Million shall be paid into your company's/personal nominated bank account.

Please be informed that with our Government Monetary Policy, Government officials and employees are not allowed to operate or to own Bank Account abroad hence our decision to seek a foreign partner. However, the legitimacy of this transaction is well pronounced, which I will personally explain to you by fax or telephone if you agree to be our partner to determine your true Position. I have the authority and consent of my partners to offer this transaction to you. You will be highly compensated with a percentage upon mutual agreement by both parties after a successful completion of this project. Further information concerning the transaction shall be forwarded to you upon your response to this mail. I can assure you that I and my partners are in a position to make this payment claim possible, provided you can give us the assurance and guarantee that our share will be secured. Visualize this opportunity as an indirect financial resource; also note that your area of specializat!
ion is not a hindrance in the successful execution of this transaction.

Note; You will only be required to:
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum (US$220M)
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.

Please keep this very close to your chest as much as possible; We cannot afford any political problems.

Thank you and God bless, as I wait for a long-term mutually beneficial relationship for both of us if you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 25% of the total sum US$220 Million will be for you.

Please send your response to this very email address: oscaremensah@yahoo.es

Yours Faithfully,
Dr. Oscar Eward Mensah.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam