419 scam: "Yusuf Abubakar"<yusufabubakar12@ovi.com> Yusuf Abubakar,

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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Yusuf Abubakar" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rogn1@laposte.net>
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 14:48:15 -0000
Subject: Yusuf Abubakar,

Dear Sir,

My name is Yusuf Abubakar from Libya, presently in Abidjan,Cote d'Ivoire with the United Nations on Asylum. I got your contact from a Web Page Directory on Investment and resettlement program.
I hereby seek your assistance in the following ways:

(1) to help me come over to your country for resettlement, until the war in my country is over.

(2) To assist me look for a lucrative and profitable business in your country, where I can invest to sustain my living, until the political situation in my country is stable. According to my Asylum agreement with the United Nations for Refugee (UNHCR), I have the right to relocate to any country of my choice, but I must need a guarantor (someone to apply and guarantee for my welfare overseas). Could you please, help me apply to the United Nations as my guarantor for resettlement in your country? As I can also assure you that there is no risk involved Please help me to move out of Abidjan,Cote d'Ivoire to your country for resettlement.I have a financial value of $15,000,000.00 USD for resettlement and investment abroad.

I will also compensate you greatly for this assistance, when I come over to your country.

I will get back to you when I hear from you.
Regards,
Yusuf Abubakar,
Salaam.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam