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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: "Electricity Company of Ghana Ltd" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <WMensah.ECGgh@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 19:36:39 +0530
Subject: Re: Investment Proposal

Sir,
 
 
I am sincerely sorry for any inconvenience reading from an unknown fellow may cause you and your esteemed establishment.
 
My name is Mr. William Hutton-Mensah, I am the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG).
 
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMMISSION.
The Electricity Company of Ghana is a limited liability Company wholly owned by the Government of Ghana and operating under the Ministry of Energy (ME). The Company was incorporated under the Companies Code, 1963 in February 1997. It began as the Electricity Department on 1st April 1947 and later became the Electricity Division in 1962. It was subsequently converted into the Electricity Corporation of Ghana by NLC Decree 125 in 1967. Our mission is to provide quality, reliable and safe electricity services to support the socio-economic growth and development of Ghana.
 
MY PROPOSAL
In my capacity as the Managing Director, I write to solicit your assistance in a fund transfer deal involving an amount of Ten Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only).This sum has been stashed out of the Budgetary Allocation and Excess gain from Power distribution in the year 2011 and 2012 fiscal years.
 
The amount in question has been placed on a Non-Investment Account without a beneficiary. After the review/defending of the last years audited balance sheet/report I have in collaboration with the Director (Finance) concluded arrangements to move this fund to the account of a reliable foreign company or individual overseas for safe-keeping/possible investments in a viable/blue-chip Company in your Country or any other Country of your choice, where Government Policies favors foreign investments with minimal taxation.
 
 
AREAS OF INVESTMENT INTEREST
*Production/Manufacturing *Real Estate *Tourism
 
 
If you accept to work with me, I will configure your name on our database as holder of the Non-Investment Account. Thereafter, you will apply to the authorities of ECG for the transfer of the referenced sum to your designated bank account. I will guide you on this process.
 
 
We will discuss your remuneration when I receive your response.
 
There is no risk involved as all machinery has been set rolling for the speedy and successful execution of this business. However, I want you to note that your area of business does not matter in the transaction, rather, your willingness and capability to handle the transaction.
 
Send your reply to my confidential email address: officefile.WHMensah@yahoo.com
I am looking forward for your urgent response.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Mr. William Hutton-Mensah
 

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