419 scam: "Mr.Joseph Kwesi Mensah"<gill

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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:
- "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)
- "there are practically no risks involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Joseph Kwesi Mensah" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jk.mensah@live.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:52:20 -0000
Subject: Hi

Compliments !

My names are Joseph Kwesi Mensah a Ghanaian. I have a piece of classified information for you. I hope you read through and indicate your
acknowledgement if this deal interest you. What I am about to inform you is a top secret, therefore treat it as such.

I am a banker and currently the Swift Operational Manager of the International Commercial Bank Ghana Limited. I endorse and direct incoming Swift
Transfers from correspondent banks to our bank. The sum of US$22, 000.000 {Twenty Two Million United States Dollar} was transferred two days ago by a
construction company from Barclays Bank Mauritius into this account 0240029052601UE ICON Ghana Limited. I had received a call from the accountant of the
company this morning informing me that the CEO and beneficiary of the account died around 2:45 am today. He revealed some secrets to me and pleaded
with me to redirect the fund to another account outside Ghana. I had thought deeply about this and gave my nod to it because it is a life-time
opportunity to improve my status.

Meanwhile the beneficiary of the fund in question is late Mr. K.S. Malayappan, a Multimillionaire Indian gold miner and contractor who also reside in
Ghana. Following the above circumstances, I have commenced my search for a reliable partner who can provide a good bank account to receive the fund
before there can be any trace. It was during my search in the Internet that I got your contact. So, if you are willing and trustworthy, kindly indicate
your interest in earnest.

I have discussed with the accountant and we resolved to share the fund equally on completion of this deal. The most important thing is that we all
must treat this as a top secret among us.

Let me also assure you that there are practically no risks involved because it is a bank-to-bank transfer. My position in the bank will also ease some
processes involved. I shall be demanding your complete profile in your reply if you are willing to partner with me. I anticipate your prompt response.

Regards,

Joseph Kwesi Mensah.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam