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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: HarrisKone <harriskone102@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 05:23:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Harris & Sister Janet Kone


>From Harris & Sister Janet Kone
Abidjan, Cote D' Ivoire, West Africa.
 
It is my pleasure to identify with you. I am Harris and My younger sister Janet Kone. We are from sierra leone but residing in Ivory Coast west Africa.   We are humbly seeking for your guidance and assistance inmigrating us to your country and also help us in transferring the sum of USD$6,000,000 (Six Million United State Dollars) inherited from my father late Alfred Kone. We are motivated to contact you after our prayers, as we get to know you better, we hope to gradually build trust, relationship and confidence in you as our step parents. 
 
So if you can be in position to assist us in any way, we will be glad and willing to offer you 15% of the total sum for your assistance in retrieving the money and effort input after the successful transfer of this money and investment. Indicate your interest towards assisting us by sending your phone # and address so that we can communicate with you at any time. we need your expected guidance in investing the money in any profitable business investment in your country. If you are willing to assist us, kindly get back to us immediately with your adequate communication.
 
Thanks and God bless you.
Your's Sincerely
Harris & Janet Kone



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