419 scam: "Mr. Sam Kofi Atta Mills" <amalbank.ghanalimited8@gmail.com> I WANT TO INVEST IN YOUR COUNTRY

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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.
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:
- "trunk box" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- attamaills@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Sam Kofi Atta Mills" <amalbank.ghanalimited8@gmail.com>
Reply-To: attamaills@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2017 05:35:41 -0800
Subject: I WANT TO INVEST IN YOUR COUNTRY

Greetings to you,

I want to invest in your country. I am Mr. Sam Kofi Atta Mills, from
Ghana, the only son of Professor John Evans Fifii Atta Mills, former
President Republic of Ghana. He passed away to the lord on Tuesday
24th July 2012 at the 37 Military hospital in Accra on Tuesday
afternoon.

Before his unfortunate death my father made it clearly to me that he
lodged the sum of US$15, 500, 000.00 dollars with United Bank for
Africa here in Accra-Ghana and also deposited in a Security Firm, a
trunk box containing 150 kg of Gold which is our family treasures for
safe keeping.

He instructed that I should claim it to look after myself. I intend to
invest this money abroad, hence my contacting you to advise me how
best I can invest this money in your country. For your assistance I
will offer 20% of the money to you. I have all the vital documents
covering the deposit, of which I can send on request. If You Are
Interested.Reply E-mail: attamaills@yahoo.com

Thank you very much for th e anticipated acceptance while I expect
your prompt response.

Best Regards,
Mr. Sam Kofi Atta Mills.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam