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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: tagromellisa26@hotmail.fr <tagromellisa26@hotmail.fr>
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:04:49 +1100 (EST)
Subject: Dearest one,


Dearest one,
I hope that my message will not bring moment of distraction or discomfort to your person. Though we have not met or known each other but only asking for your kind help to accomplish a special project. I'm here to share with you something of mutual benefits, and it will be encourageable that you free your mind out of any doubts to deal with me in trust and confidence.
My name is Miss Mellissa Ano Tagro, the only child of Mr.Desire Tagro who served as the Minister of the Interior and chief of staff for former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo during the 2010-2011 Ivorian crisis, he died April 12, 2011 of wounds sustained when members of the Republican Forces stormed the presidential palace to arrest Gbagbo on the last day of his life.
In the heart of the crisis, my father sent me away to a remote town, living with his spiritual director (a pastor) in church premises. In the process, my late father told me about the undisclosed lodgement funds, a total of 7.5million euro (Seven million, five hundred thousand euro) he made in a security company as a family valuable items, and also handed me the lodgement documents with instruction that I should look for a trustworthy foreign partner who will stand on my behalf as family appointed beneficiary to secure the funds under his/her safe custody for investment purpose abroad in case of any emergence. I am 25 years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do.. My mother died some years back of a kidney problem.
Now, I want an trustworthy person overseas who I can trust with this fund and after the transaction I will come and reside permanently in your country and further my studies, till such a time that it will be convenient for me to return back home if I so desire. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of my parents' death as nobody is here to give me help. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life but only God knows the best. Therefore, I want to invest the fund under your care because I have no business idea.
Please go through this link to understand clearly about death of my father:
http://www.afriqueavenir.org/en/2011/04/13/gbagbo-minister-dies-from-shrapnel-wounds/
It is necessary that I take immediate action to claim the deposit funds as delay could be dangerous to matter of this magnitude. The funds was sealed inside a consignment box and deposited as family valuable items to avoid attraction to it. This is a highly confidential matter which must be kept secret to us FOR SECURITY REASONS.
I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these few questions:
1. Can you honestly help me from your heart?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money is in your account?

Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. Immediately, I confirm your willingness, I will send to you my picture and also give you more details about myself and the security company were my late father deposited the fund. Respond urgently to my private email address:

tagromellisa26@hotmail.fr OR mellisatagro26@yahoo.com

May God bless you.
Yours Sincerely

MELLISA DESIRE TAGRO







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