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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• 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.
  • mrmar.nana@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Mar Nana" <mar_nana@ghananationalbankonline.com>
Reply-To: mr.mar_02nana@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:46:56 +0000
Subject: MY DEAR !!!




STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

I am Mr. Mar Nana, Budget and Account manager of Ghana National Bank. I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. In June, 2000, a German property consultant and importer of used cars, Mr Peter Schranner made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$6.1m(Six Million One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars )in my branch.

It was to our utter surprise that we heard of his death, wife and children in an AF4590 plane crash in July 2000. See website below:http://news.BBC.co.UK/1/hi/world/Europe/859479.stm On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL, and hitherto, all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless. Mr Peter Schranner was residing at House 3 Madina, Accra Ghana.

I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr Peter Schranner did not declare any kin or relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$6.1m is still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever come forward to claim it.

According to Laws of Ghana, at the expiration of 9 (nine) years, the money will be declared frozen and forfeited to the Ghana Government if nobody applies to claim the fund. Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin or business partner to Mr Peter Schranner so that the fruits of this old man's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials. This is simple,

I will like you to provide immediately your full names and address, phone and fax numbers so that I can prepare the necessary documents that will put you in place as the next of kin or business partner. Your role in the transaction is to send an application for claim of the funds to our bank. Then, as top officials of the bank, I shall work behind-the-scene to make sure that your application is approved by the management of the bank, and the funds transferred to your nominated bank account.

Please note that there is no risks involve at all, as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done legitimately and with my positions as top officials of the bank I would ensure a successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately.

Please send me your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy communication. You should observe utmost CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECRECY in this transaction, and rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I will require your assistance to invest my share in your country. I look forward to your prompt response. Pleas get back to through my private phone;+233-245-777-228 , mail box mrmar.nana@yahoo.com.

Thanks and regards.

Mr. Mar Nana .

From the desk of Mr.Mar Nana
GHANA NATIONAL BANK LIMITED
Accra-Ghana

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam