419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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.
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Joe Oteng-Adjei" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <joeadjei@moenegh.org>
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:09:47 -0500
Subject: Ref: Urgent Contract Allocations.
ZJUVIMSSDO

Attention:,
Ref: Urgent Contract Allocations.

My name is Dr. Joe Oteng-Adjei, The Minister of Energy - Republic of Ghana.

An allocation for various contracts and supply of your company Products & services through our Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) some Multimillions Dollars worth of supplies for developing of the oil-rich Republic of Ghana.
Contract for Exploration Development and Production of Petroleum in Republic of Ghana and Construction of an Export Oriented Refinery.
Also lined up is Acquisition of oil blocks.

Other construction/contract projects include mining, building and renovation of power and water systems, schools and hospitals, oil & gas infrastructure, fire, police and military services and the modernization of communications systems, roads, railways and airports.
Non-construction activities include equipment supplies and training in all sectors.

Republic of Ghana officially has mandated me to seek for your confidential cooperation and participation in this contract.
If your company is in these categories and capable of construction/contract projects you will required to travel down to Ghana for confirmation of eligibility/and signing of contract papers. You will also be paid up front.
Further details on schedule for meeting with me and the Government officials will be detailed to you as soon as you signify your interest by furnishing me with your COMPANY PROFILE AND PERSONAL MOBILE NUMBER.
Bearing in mind this is an urgent contract, if I don’t get your positive response within 7 working days, I will contact another company.

Yours Truly,
Dr. Joe Oteng-Adjei.
+233 548720495
The Ministry of Energy - Republic of Ghana.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam