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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: "Kosombo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <thomaskosombo@sify.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:48:34 +0400
Subject: Good day

Attn,
Good day to you I got your contact from a Business Directory, and I decided to contact you directly for the sake of business.
My full Name is Mr thomas kosombo with my mother Sarah kosombo we are from Congo, We are searching for a reliable and experience business partner in gulf rejion.
I have about $10.5 Million Dollars and I would need your assistance investing it either here in gulf or any country of your choice under your guidance.
So I am only soliciting for your assistance to help me invest this money,If you are willing to invest in this business, please give me your confidential contact phone number so that I will call you and discuss on how to see face to face and discuss more in details, I  need  your   contact  number  and   your  country  origin  and  your  address,
Thank you once again for your interest and waiting for your reply
Best Regards,
Mr Thomas.

Anti-fraud resources: