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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: traore fatoumata <fatoumatatraore715@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:53:45 +0000
Subject: URGENT/CONFIDENTIAL


Goodday ,

My Name is Mrs Fatoumata Traore the wife of a senior functionary and a
military soldier to the defense ministry in Mali, Due to the political
unrest in Mali in the past year, the Islamist invasion in
the Northern Region and the death of my husband who was a senior
functionary and a military soldier to the defense ministry in Mali.

I have to flee Mali with my children for asylum to the United Kingdom via
France. Because of the urgency and my status, I was not able to take along
everything with me in the course of saving my life and my children’s.

I am presently in the asylum home in the UK still but I left behind so
many family treasures including some funds which my late husband disclosed
to me was deposited and secured in a security financial firm.

I have never mentioned this to anyone as I have been waiting for the
appointed time,and I think the time is now.It won’t be safe for the fund to
remain there for a longtime,that is why I decided to contact someone that
will help me get the fund secured and invest it properly to the benefit of
me and my children.

After I might have compensated you as I am still in the refugee camp here
till further notice. Please, Sir, this is a highly confidential and urgent
affair but I will furnish you with all the necessary details when I have
received your response so that I will tell you what we have to do as soon
as possible to secure the funds till I and my children are free from the
camp.

I will appreciate the kind gesture you may tender to me regarding this and
I also thank you in advance for your urgent response howsoever.May the good
God that brought us in contact reward you and protect us all.

Madam Traore

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