419 scam: Otabil Mensah <torion@ukrpost.net> I need Your Assistance

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- otabilmensahh1@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Otabil Mensah <torion@ukrpost.net>
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:37:31 +0300 (EEST)
Subject: I need Your Assistance

Dear Friend,
Good day to you and your family.

Before I tell you about myself I want you to please forgive me for sending this mail without your permission.

My name is Mr Otabil Mensah, The Bank Manager of a Financial Institution, I am a Ghanaian married with 3 kids, I am the Personal account manager to Mr Pres Nimes Ekwona Demaudage a citizen of Nauruan Republic, I am writing to solicit your assistance in the transfer of US$7,500,000.00 Dollars into your account. This said fund was deposited by Mr Pres N. E. Demaudage who died on 20th August 2013 during his business trip in Syria, he died in Syria Nuclear attacks without declared any next of kin to the above fund before his death.

Now, as an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to the fund which make me to request for your assistance to stand as the next of kin to Mr Pres N. E. Demaudage, to receive the fund.

All I need from you is to stand as the next of kin to Mr. Pres so that my bank management can transfer the funds to your account, I agree that we share the funds 40% for you and 60% for me, also my 60% share will also be invested in your country under your care.

Please keep this matter as top secret between us, Kindly get back to me in this id( otabilmensahh1@gmail.com ) for a brief discussion on how to proceed.

Regards
Otabil.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam