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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: "Fatima Coulibaly" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fatima.coulibaly@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 1 May 2014 08:10:16 -0700
Subject: Investment Request


Good day,

I am seeking your assistance,


I am writing this email to you with tears and sorrow from my heart. With due respect, trust and humanity, I appeal to you to exercise a little patience and read this email I send to you now.

I picked interest in you after I got your contact/profile through an international business directory. I become interested in disclosing everything about myself to you. It is true that we have not seen or known each other before.
I am Miss. Fatima Coulibaly, the only daughter of late Mr. and Mrs. Ibrahim Coulibaly from Ivory Coast.Please my lord, I am seeking your assistance to help me transfer my inheritance money,
the sum of (US$1.5m) One Million Five Hundred Thousand United State American Dollars into your bank account. My late father willed this money to me, though my mother has died when he wrote the will in my name.


Please it is more than urgent because my life is in danger. I plan to run out of my country for my life's security. My late father was among the coalition of former warlords that brought President Ouattara to power and also Gold and Cocoa merchant in Ivory Coast. The internal fighting among the coalition of former warlords that brought President Ouattara to power led to his killing. Please click this site to read:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13218243


My Lord, I am willing to give you 45% of this inheritance money for your efforts and assistance after the successful transfer of my inheritance money into your bank account overseas because I would like to invest in your country. I will tell you more when I receive your reply.
Anticipating hearing from you urgently.

My Email address where you will reply me for urgent attention is: ftcoulibaly@outlook.com

Thanks and God bless.


Yours sincerely,
Fatima Coulibaly

Anti-fraud resources: