419 scam: Prague Mission <prague@mfa.gov.gh> TREAT AS URGENT

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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:
- "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)
- "twistalan59@qq.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Prague Mission <prague@mfa.gov.gh>
Reply-To: RACHEL <twistalan59@qq.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2017 11:50:04 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT

I am RACHEL LAMBERT suffering from cancer,I was married to late Engr. Alex Lambert an Englishman who has passed on. My husband was into private practice all his life before his death. Our life together as man and wife lasted for three decades without a child. He died after a protracted illness. My husband and I made a vow to uplift the down-trodden and the less-privileged individuals as he had passion for persons who cannot help themselves due to physical disability or financial predicament. When Alex was alive, he deposited the sum of Six Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Great Britain Pounds Sterling (Â£6,800,000.00) which was from his vast estates and investment in capital market with his bank in the United Kingdom. Presently, this money is still with the Bank. Just some few days ago my doctor told me that I have few weeks to live due to complications which was very devastating for me. Though what bothers me most is the stroke that I have in addition to the cancer. I have decided to donate this fund to you and want you to use this gift which comes from my husbandâ€™s effort to fund the upkeep of widows, widowers, orphans, destitute,physically challenged children.I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and I do not want my husbandâ€™s hard earned money to be misused or invested into ill perceived business ventures by relatives that abandoned me all this years. Until I hear from you my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders.Indicate your willingness in contacting me via
(twistalan59@qq.com)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam