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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: gilbert Chikowore <gilbertchikowore@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2013 19:47:14 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Please can you be trusted with this information?


My dear,

Excuse me please!
It is with due respect, trust and humanity, I write this mail to seek your assistance. Although it may be an embarrassment since we have not met before. Anyway, I believe that you'll understand my plight after going through my mail.

My name is Gilbert Chikowore, I’m 18years old and the son of Enos Chikowore, the Zimbabwean former Minister for Transport who is also a business-man and politician, in the Zimbabwean political arena. My Father was the famous politician who stood firm against President Mugabe’s idea of continuous fight in the seizure of white owned farms and the distribution of it to the blacks without compensation to the white owners. Because of my fathers’ sincerity, he was killed by a planned motor accident along Mashona land in Western Mashona Province of Zimbabwe. The planners of the accident are Soldiers, suspected to have the backing of the Government and President Mugabe himself.

My dear, when this accident occurred at about 10:15am Zimbabwean time, my father did not died on the spot. Rather he was rushed to Harare hospital by some people of good heart. He managed to send for me because my mother is no more. When I rushed to the hospital, he secretly called me to his bedside and explained his condition and again about his vital documents which is meant for his political campaign in the next election. Also he mentioned a sum of nine million Brithish pounds sterling only (GBP £9000,000) which he deposited in a Storehouse with a freight forwarding and clearing services firm in Cotonou, the capital of Benin Republic West Africa. He said he used my name as his only son, as the next of kin in depositing the money. Finally, He instructed me to leave Zimbabwe immediately for my safety and seek for a foreign partner in any Country of my choice where I will transfer this money and use it for investment purpose, such as real estate
management.

My escape was not easy, therefore, I succeeded in arriving to Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This country has an existing law which banned asylum seekers/refugees like me not to operate a bank account that exceeded (GBP £2000). Again I am eighteen 18 years old, I am scared of claiming the money when I get to Cotonou, Benin Republic West Africa. I am therefore, writing to seek for your help concerning this inheritance, for it to be secured and transfer out of the Country, Cotonou, Benin Republic West Africa and use as my father advised.

Well, as for your reward for assisting me, we shall talk about it as we start exchanging mails. I have it in mind to continue my education in your country under your guidance. Bear it in mind that I'll not have rest of mind until my life and my inheritance are secured. If I may ask; I hope mylife

and the inheritance will be safe when I get into your Country? I hope too, to establish a rewarding and good relationship with you and your family after this.

Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible.

Best regards.
Gilbert Chikowore.

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