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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 about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Ahmed Koba" <laconfiance@ozu.es> (may be fake)
Reply-To: ahmedkoba@terra.com
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 22:20:58 +0100
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE

Ahmed Koba
Abidjan,Cote d'Ivoire



URGENT ASSISTANCE

I regret this informal way of contacting you which I believe would be most effective with regards to the Message I intend to bring to your notice. It is imperative that I adopt this means of communication to safeguard my interest and guarantee that secrecy is not compromised. I searched and got your contact through the online contact guide and want to use the opportunity to express my interest in doing business with you as I believe that you are reliable in handling this type of international transaction due to your reputation.

My name is Ahmed Koba the son of Chief Idris Sheik Koba who was one of the leaders of Makeni region before the war started in my country in 1990. My father was killed in the crisis by the rebel troops because his refusal to raise some amount of money for them for the purchase of ammunition.

After the death of my father there has been vindictive policies made by the present government just to frustrate my family.Some people in the government just don't like my family because they believe he supported the rebel faction of Paul Kouruma during the crisis.My late mother and my sister have been living in Ivory-Coast as refugee since then.This country is no more safe because of the crisis here and after the death of my mother I have decided to seek assistance in order to get out of Ivory-Coast.

I want to transfer and invest $15 million US dollars in your country.I have not decided what kind of investment but I have real-estate properties in mind.

I am writing to know if you can assist to locate and purchase viable properties with your reputation and help my sister and I to secure the visa to come and live in your country.
I will invite you to visit me here in Ivory -coast immediately to sign up an agreement with me and will give you all the necessary information about how the fund will be transfered.It will also enable us establish the trust and confidence needed in this transaction.

I will offer you 20% commission of the total investment fund and additional 5% for any expenses which you might in-cure as a result of this transaction including traveling, accommodation and other expenses.So if you can handle the business,please mail me immediately.

By the virtue of my position,you shall protect my interest in this business transaction and treat it with absolute confidentiality.I am looking forward to your immediate response on my private e-mail ahmedkoba@terra.com <mailto:ahmedkoba@terra.com>

Thanks for your co-operation,
Ahmed Koba


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