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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Joseph <fire@brigantinebeachnj.com>
Reply-To: <onxame01@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2022 16:50:42 +0000
Subject: About Peter

Please forgive me unsolicited e-mail. I am Mr. Joseph Mensah, a Bank Official resident in Ghana. I believe it is fated for me to come across you now. I have a profitable business idea I wish to share with you relating to someone based in your country.

One Late Peter, a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2010 for 108 calendar months, valued at US$23,400,000.00 (Twenty-three Million Four Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was last 22nd of January 2017. Sadly Peter was among the death victims in the Jan 12 2011 fatal accident in Ghana involving Two vehicles near Nkenkenso a district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana where fifteen people were killed on the spot. Read article;

https://www.modernghana.com/news/311838/1/15-killed-in-bloody-crash.html

My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because I was his account officer and we had a somewhat personal business relationship. Peter did not mention any Next of Kin when his account was opened, and he was not married and had no children. Last week my bank management requested that Peter should give instructions on what to do with his funds, whether to renew the contract or not. I knew this would happen and that is why I have been looking for a solution because if my bank directors find out that Peter is late and does not have any heir, they will take the funds for their personal use. That was why when I saw your last name I was happy and I am seeking your cooperation to present you as Next of Kin/Heir to the account since you have the same last name with him and my bank will release the account to you.

There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. It is better that we claim the money than allowing the Bank Directors to take it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equally, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response.

Anticipating your communication.

Regards,
Joseph Mensah

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