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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: "Mr. Joseph" <alpha@comspb.net>
Reply-To: <77bolt.mensah@gmaiil.com>
Date: Wed, 10 May 2017 19:04:03 +0200
Subject: Hello S/M

Hello,

I have tried to reach you but finally I have you on a search via your email address. I have been in search of you as to how best we can assist each other. I am Mr. Joseph Mensah, a Bank Officer here in Ghana. I believe it is fate for me to come across you now. I am having an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you, because it is in connection with someone based in your country, we are going to benefit from it.

One Late Peter, a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2005 for 108 calendar months, valued at US$18,400,000.00 (Eighteen Million Four Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was last 22nd of January 2013. Sadly Peter was among the death victims in the May 11 2007 fatal accident in Ghana involving seven vehicles near Awutu-Effutu-Senya district in the Central Region of Accra where thirty-five people were killed on the spot.Read article;

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=123861

My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I was his account officer. Peter did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that Peter should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract. I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to know that Peter is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That was why when I saw your last name I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same last name with him and my bank head quarters will release the account to you.

There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response.

Have a nice day and God bless. Anticipating your communication.

Best Regards
Joseph

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