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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: "Mark Keita Jr." <markkeitajr@live.fr>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:06:08 -0800 (PST)
Subject: HELP ME


Dear respectful,
I am Mark Keita 21 yrs of age from Cote D'Ivoire.I would like to seek your assistance, as an investment consultant or perhaps you may have knowledge about profitable investment opportunities. I would be delighted to enter into partnership with you considering your idea after going through your profile. This is because investment in my country is insecure and risky. Very risk I must confess!!It is very essential that you understand that the kind of trust and confidence I want to put in you is extra ordinary and an act of desperation on my part, in order not to lose this my inherited fund (US$8.9M)in the custody of the security firm in Europe (SECURITY COMPANY),I have decided to contact you using this means to seek for your assistance in receiving this fund on my behalf for investment in your country.I am also interested to invest overseas under an able man power and would be well pleased to have your guidance, support and cooperation in this struggle if
you are capable and willing to assist me in good faith without prejudice.
 
This fund was inherited from my late father who was killed years ago by Rebels in one of their attack including my mother. My late father, Michael K.Keita, a reputable politician in my country happened to be one of the prime targets. Fortunately for me, I was in school during the attack that claimed the lives of my parents.
Please treat this with utmost secrecy for security and safety reasons, as I do not want to be exposed because my life is at the danger since the attackers that took the lives of my parents are still interested to get rid of my entire family. I hope to read your positive response at your earliest convenient time. I will give you all detail and information about this, please contact me with your contact information, your advice could mean a lot to me.
Regards
Mark Keita.



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