419 scam: "Mrs. Margaret Mwanakatwe."<no-reply@4u.com.gh> Re: Your Loaded Visa Card,

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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:

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 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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "michael.nkrumah@gmx.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Margaret Mwanakatwe." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <michael.jnkrumah@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:58:27 -0700
Subject: Re: Your Loaded Visa Card,

My friend,

I wish to know if you have received your loaded Barclays Infinite Visa Card valued Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars.

Before I traveled out of the country for an immediate kidney surgery, I paid Mr. Michael J. Nkrumah for the Clearance, Insurance and Delivery of your Visa Card and instructed him to mail it directly to your doorstep through any reliable and secure delivery express courier services.

If you have not received your visa card, you are advised to contact Mr. Michael J. Nkrumah at (michael.nkrumah@gmx.com). Do note that all the necessary details you need to withdraw your funds in any ATM cash point machine worldwide are attached in the package that contained your Card.

Furthermore, make sure you reconfirm your full name, current contact address and direct contact telephone number to him to avoid any mistake on the delivery of your card. If incase you need any further assistance in withdrawing from your card, contact Michael, he will guide you true.

Take care and remain Blessed.

Faithfully,

Mrs. Margaret Mwanakatwe,

Former MD, Barclays Bank (GH) Limited.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam