419 scam: sharon kouame <sharon_kouame5@liverootes.com> From Miss Sharon Kouame

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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:

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:
- "a security company " (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. )
- "account in your country or any safer place" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "consignment " (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: sharon kouame <sharon_kouame5@liverootes.com>
Reply-To: sharon_kouame@yahoo.cn
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:53:25 -0800 (PST)
Subject: From Miss Sharon Kouame

Dear Respectful One,

I pray that this email reaches you in the best of health. This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we have not yet meet. The message could be strange but it's real and you will realize this if you pay some attention to it. I want to notify you about it at least for the sake of your integrity.

I was totally convinced to write you in reference of the transaction of a consignment box of Four million united states dollars (US$4,000,000.) to your country destination for onward investment in a good lucrative business for the benefit of the both of us.

I am Miss. Sharon Kouame. from Ivory coast. I am a student being that I lost my parents a couple of year ago. My father was a Gold Miner serving director of the Gold exporting board until here in Abidjan, Ivory Coast during his days, It is sad to say that he was poisoned to death in France during one of his business trips abroad for the importation of Gold processing machine on the 14Th of July, 2008.

Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his and his college whom travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth. before his death he had a deposit of Four million united states dollars (U,S,D( $4.000,000 ) with a security company here in Ivory coast, i want you to do me a favor to received this funds to a safe account in your country or any safer place as the beneficiary.

My mother died when I was just 10 years old, and since then my father took me so special. before his death on the 14Th of July 2008 he called her personal secretary who accompanied him to the hospital and told her that he had a sum of (.US$4,000,000.) US dollars ( Four million united states dollars ) which he deposited with a security company here in Abidjan, Ivory Coast as family valuables for security reasons.

He also said that the security company does not know the content of the safe Box. he declared it as family valuables and used my name to deposit the Box as his only daughter for next of kin. he also explained to her that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned,

That I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where I will transfer this money to and use it for investment purposes. i want you to assist me in clearing this box from the security company and then transferring the fund inside the box into your account overseas as a beneficiary of the fund, and also use it for an investment purpose.

I am just 22 years old and a university undergraduate student and really don't know what to do. now I want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds. because the death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. Dear, I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.

Now permit me to ask these few questions:-
1. Can you honestly help me ?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the claiming of the box from the security company?
Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible,
Thank you so much.
My sincere regards,
Miss Sharon Kouame.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam