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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million dollars" (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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: nene_ko1@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 07:50:56 -0700
Subject: Mrs Nene Koffi



Mrs Nene Koffi
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
West Africa

Very Urgent
Dearest one,
I presume that we have not met neither have we communicated before
firstly, my name is Mrs. Nene Koffi I am the wife of late Mr.Henry
Koffi.
My late husband Mr.Henry Koffi, was a crude oil and diamond magnet
based in Accra-Ghana and Abidjan-Ivory Coast, when he was alive he was
poisoned by his business associates on one of their business trips in
France.


He died last Two months at the age of 53 after a brief illness in a
privatehospital Here in (Abidjan) Ivory Coast Could you believe that
the tradition and custom of the town and state where my late husband
came from demands that any woman Who does not have a male child for
the husband, that when ever the husband dies, all the properties
including cash will be shared among the late husband brothers and the
woman will be sent out of the husband house just like that. My dear,
this is exactly what I am going through right now since last Two
Months my husband died.
My late husband brothers has taken all the properties belonging to my
late husband including bank account and as well sent me out of my
Husband house just because I do not have a male child for my late
husband this is a waked tradition and believe. As am talking to you
now, I and my daughter are going through hell at the moment. Right
now, I am having in my position all the vital documents relating to
the sum of $17 million dollars which my late husband deposited with a
bank here in (Abidjan) Ivory Coast, and he made all the vital
Documents with my name as the next of kin before his death.
Please remember that I cannot make use of this fund here due to forces
surrounding me at the moment. Please have mercy at the poor widow like
me and help me out of this mess. I strongly believe that the only way
I can secure this money for myself is to act fast now and lift this
money overseas that is the main reason why I am contacting you for
your assistance.
Please, as soon as this fund is lifted into your country, you can go
ahead and have 20% for your time and patience in helping me. Please if
you are willing to help, you can as well reply me through this email
Address.


I am waiting for your urgent response.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs Nene Koffi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam