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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: "Engr David Lamptey" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ghanaoil@zworg.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:45:06 -0700
Subject: Re:: ACKNOWLEDGE RECIEPT FOR FUTHER INSTRUCTION.

Engr David Lamptey
Ghana National Petroleum
Corporation
(GNPC),Ghana
West Africa.
Email: ghanaoil@zworg.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

Request for Confidential Business Relationship

First, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction. I am a high
placed official working with Ghana National Petroleum Corporation
(GNPC) here in Ghana,West Africa. I am currently in need of a foreign
partner whose identity I can use to transfer the sum of $50m
(Fifty Million United States Dollars.) This fund accrued legitimately
to me as commission from foreign contracts, through my private
connections.

The fund is presently waiting to be remitted from International
Commercial Bank here in Ghana Africa to any overseas beneficiary
confirmed by me as associate/receiver.By virtue of my positions as a
civil servant in my country, I cannot acquire this money in my name.
Because as a high placed civil servant,I am not allowed by the civil
service code of conduct to own or operate bank accounts outside of my
shores. On the other hand, it is not safe for me to keep the money here
due to unstable political environment.

I have been looking for an overseas partner who could work with me to
facilitate transfer of this fund for our mutual benefit,hence the reason
for this email. What I am requesting from you is: (1) to be my silent
partner and receive the funds as the sole benefactor to the contract
amount which I shall secure all legal documentation to authenticate our
claim. (2) Provide a private telephone and fax number for easy
communication under your control. (3)Receive the funds as the beneficiary,
take out your commission and keep the rest of the money until I arrive
there to meet you after the transfer is completed.

My proposal is that after you receive the funds, it would be shared as
follows: (1) 30% to you as commission for your co-operation and assistance
in facilitating the transfer, while the remaining 70% belongs to me. You
will be free to take out your commission immediately after the money hits
your country. Since my objective is to invest the money in a foreign
country, it would be appreciated if you could also help me with advices
and direction on investing into profitable/lucrative ventures in your
country for an additional 5%.

However, this is optional, and if it is not convenient for you to further
assist me with investing the money, we can end our cooperation after you
make available to me my part of the money. I confirm that the transaction
is legitimate and without any risks either to me or yourself. Please, give
me your response immediately by return mail through my alternate email:
ghanaoil@zworg.com.

Yours Sincerely,

Engr David Lamptey

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