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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: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: kojoatoapam19@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 06:25:21 -0800 (PST)
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION REPLY BACK


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: kojoatoapam002@yahoo.com



- GOOD DAY,I AM A MR. KOJO ATOAPAM AN ACCOUNTANT OF ICB LTD. I AM WILLING TO PLACE FUNDS IN INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE. I HAVE CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY (US$18M) I WISH TO INVEST IN PRIVATE AND START-UP COMPANIES WITH POTENTIALS FOR RAPID GROWTH IN SHORT-TERMS. I AM INTERESTED IN PLACING PART OF THE FUND IN YOUR COMPANY (IF ANY),IF THE BY-LAWS ALLOWS FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT. YOU CAN CONTACT ME THROUGH EMAIL AS WELL AS SENDING ME YOUR COMPANY PROFILE OR OTHER NECESSARY INFORMATIONS. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF THIS MAIL. THANKS AND GOD BLESS. YOURS FAITHFULLY, KOJO


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