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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: "Yossi Mpesi" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 12:32:48 -0000
Subject: Read pls - yossi 27LDNPLBBNLJ

Hello,
 
My name is Yossi Mpesi, I am young boy of 16yrs old. I lost my parents and my only sister in different occassions to the war in Congo where my father owned a diamond/gold mine. I am lucky that I was able to flee to this place here in Cote d'Ivoire by good grace for my life. I am sure you are aware of the on going event in congo due to the ethnic clash being experienced of this crisis situation. I am presently staying in a residence lodging apartment here in Cote d'Ivoire.
 
I would like to appeal to you confidentialy to assist me concerning some part of my late father's inheritance which he deposited in a financial firm, he has the sum of nine million, two hundred and ten thousand Euro(9,210,000euro) and some diamond and gold. I want to move out from here because of the my wicked stepmother who plotted with the rebels that killed my father and she will stop at nothing to hunt my life except if i flee since my father own a diamond/gold mine.
 
So please i want to know you better. I am willing to offer you 921,000euro for your assistance after the successful transfer of this money for investment; I have plans of furthering my education in your country.
 
If you are willing to help me please indicate in your next mail and let me know so that I can mail to you. Let me have your private telephone number & address so that i can communicate with you at any time for more details.
 
Thanks,
Yossi

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