419 scam: MR ZONGO KOMI <mrzongokomi1@gmail.com> ATTN: DEAR CUSTOMER,

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: MR ZONGO KOMI <mrzongokomi1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrzongo@yandex.com
Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2016 05:01:10 +0000
Subject: ATTN: DEAR CUSTOMER,

Attention,

following the instruction to pay the sum of $6.7 Million US dollar to
all scam victims by IMF through Money Gram, Western Union and Atm visa
card Transfer service, we wish to inform you that your email address was
one of the lucky ones to receive this consolation fund. You will be
receiving the sum of $5000 daily until the whole amount is completely
transferred to you, But First off all we need you to confirm these details
to make sure that there is no mistake;

1. Name
2 .Address
3. Phone
4 .Occupation
5. Age

The above secret code should always be used while contacting us here is
the transaction secret code: MGX678G

Note: Your file will expire after 7 days if there is no response, and then
we will not have any option than to return your fund to IMF as unclaimed.
Your swift response will enhance our service, thanks for your
co-operationNote; if you have anything you don't understand here s our
customer care line
+226 79 25 92 39

Regards,
Mr Komi Zongo,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam