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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: Samuel Konte <kassmonto@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2013 16:13:44 +0000
Subject: Message,

>From Samuel Konte.
Cocody Cite des Arts,
Abidjan-Cote D'Ivoire


Good Day,
Please accept my apology if you find this message offensive. I know
this is not the best way to discuss with you,but I have to use this
medium as the only way to reach you at this point in time, My name is
Samuel Konte. 22 years from Sierra Leone. My father and I escaped from
our country at the heat of the civil war after loosing my mother and
two of my senior brothers in the war. As a result of the political
instability in my country even after the war, my father established
his cocoa and coffee export business in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. He was
in Buake, center city Ivory Coast to negotiate for the purchase of a
cocoa plantation when he was shot and killed by the rebel troupes
fighting to take over the government of the country on the 22nd
January, 2011. The death of my father has now made me an orphan and
thereby exposing me to danger.

Before the unfortunate death, My late father deposited money in
Security Company here in abidjan the sum of $18.4m. As a result of
the present insecurity of lives and property in this country, I wish
to request that you assist me to recieve the trunk box there in your
Country. Again to assist me with a letter of invitation that will make
me get a visa to your country for residence in order for me to
continue my education and to invest the fund in a valuable business
venture. I am willing to give you 25% while 5% for your kindness and
effort. If this is acceptable to you, send me a mail through my e-mail
address so that we can discuss further on this matter. gkibbe@voila.fr

God bless you.
Samuel Konte.

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