419 scam: Wilifred Mensah <glenwill@yoafrica.com> CONFIDENTIAL.....!!!!

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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- wilfred.mensah2017@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Wilifred Mensah <glenwill@yoafrica.com>
Reply-To: wilfred.mensah2017@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2018 02:39:02 -0700
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL.....!!!!

--
Dear ,

I have tried to reach you but finally I have your email address from a
search. I have been in search of someone with this last name
so when I saw your profile , I was pushed to contact you and see how
best we can assist each other. I am Mr. Wilfred Mensah, a Bank Officer
here in Ghana. I believe it is the wish of God 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
your last name and you are going to benefit from it.

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 2015. Sadly 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. He 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
he 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 he 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 email 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
headquarters 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 strictly through this my
personal email address on (wilfred.mensah2017@hotmail.com

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

Best Regards
Mr.Wilfred.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam