419 scam: "Mr. Michael S. Atsu"<mrcmialatsu@outlook.com> GREETINGS MY FRIEND (From Mr. Michael S. Atsu)

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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:
- "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. Michael S. Atsu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrmichsatsu@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 14:15:35 -0700
Subject: GREETINGS MY FRIEND (From Mr. Michael S. Atsu)

Hello My good friend.

My names are Mr. Michael S. Atsu, From Takoradi in the western region of Ghana staff of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana; I got your information on a recent bank conference with other East African countries held in Johannesburg the capital city of South Africa. I have a business proposal of (US$9,450,000.00), for you from my Bank.

I write you this proposal in good faith; I am a man of peace. I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit you and me, as the regional manager of the Standard Chartered Bank it is my duty to send in a financial report to my head office in the capital city Accra at the end of each business year.

This transaction is legal without any problem and it is bank to bank transfer and 100% risk free. As soon as the Nine Million four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar [$9,450.000.00] is transferred to your bank account, you shall take 40%, while I take 60%. If you are interested to work with me reply my email so I can send you more details.

And I can provide any needed documents or forms that will be needed during the transfer.

In your acceptance letter, provide me with this detail:

1) Your Full Names

2) Your Full Contact Address

3) Your Phone Number

4) Your Age

5) Your Occupation

My Best Regards,

Mr. Michael S. Atsu.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam