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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:

Fraud email example:

From: Ma Celia Kafui <macelia_kafui@outlook.com>
Reply-To: macelia_kafui@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 04:32:01 +0200
Subject: Urgent Attend Immediately

It is with profound respect and humble submission, I beg to state the following few lines for your kind consideration. I hope you will spare some of your valuable
 
minutes to read the following appeal with sympathetic mind. I must confess that it is with great hope, joy and enthusiasm to write you this mail and I believe by the
faith that it must surely find you in good condition of health.
 
In brief introduction, my names are Ma Celia Kafui,i am 18 years old from the Democratic Republic of Congo(formerly known as Zaire). I`m the only daughter of Late Dr.
Puntu Kafui"My Father Dr. Puntu kafui was the minister of Precious Mineral Marketing Co-Operation of the Democratic Republic of Congo during the reignof late president
Mobutu Sese Seko.
 
As his only child, he relied on, he drew my attention to his way about and family business engagements in case of death or other
 
any circumstances because of political crises in my country. This fear was actualized when rebels attack us and burnt our house and short him which lead him to
death"my father loved me so dearly may he rest in peace and may the great God give him a safe entry in Paradise. Amen.
 
Before the death of my father on the hospital bed, he told me that he made a fixed deposit of the sum of Five Million, three Hundred thousand United States Dollars
(5.3Million USD) in one of the Bank in Republic of Ghana with my name as his next of kin. I have traveled to Republic of Ghana to clear the money but the Bank manager
told me that my refugee status is not authorized by the laws of Republic of Ghana to clear the money and also they go into agreement with my late father that the fund
will not release to me without foreign partner, He advised me to appoint a trustee/partner who will help me and invest the fund overseas
 
after the transfer,he ask me to go and look for foreign partner, that was why i decided to contact you, which i believe that you are going to be honest and reliable
person that will help me and stand as my trustee/partner,so that I can present you to the Bank for the release and transfer of my inheritance fund into your bank
account in your country.
 
Please it is my intention to compensate you with 20% of the total fund for your services and help and the balance shall be my capital in your establishment
 
Now, I am Soliciting your help for transfer of the money into your bank account and investment assistance in your Country. I have suffered lots of set back as a result
of my parents death. I have since been rescued by the intervention of the (U.N) United Nation Peace keeping force, and have manage to escape to the Republic of Togo,
Where I am now presently taking refuge in a refugee camp. Hence, I want to settle abroad to continue my studies and spend the rest of my life. Please consider my
request as my life is being hugely affected .
 
Thanks a lot in anticipation of your prompt response.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Ma Celia Kafui

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