419 scam: "Mr.Michel Konate" <mrmichel.konat01@gmail.com> WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU AS AN URGENT

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand u.s 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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mrmichel.konat01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Michel Konate" <mrmichel.konat01@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Apr 2011 21:41:09 +0100 (BST)
Subject: WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU AS AN URGENT

My Dear,

How are you together with your family? I hope all is well. Considering the fact, I did not know you in person or even have seen you before but due to the true revelation that I should share this lucrative opportunity with you, I have no choice other than to contact you. So, kindly consider this message essential and confidential.

first and foremost I have to introduce myself to you I am Mr.Michel Konate, from Burkina Faso in west Africa, the Audit and Account Manager BANK OF AFRICA (BOA) in Ouagadougou Burkina Faso west Africa.

I had the intent to contact you over transfer of fund worth the suam of Six million two hundred thousand u.s dollars. (Us$6.2m) for the betterment of our life, I agree that 40% of the total amount will be for you and 60% for me.

I need your urgent response on assurance of trust that you will not deny my share when once the fund is transfer to your personal bank account.

Your urgently responses is needed through this email address:mrmichel.konat01@gmail.com reply with your information as I stated it bellow once I receive your information I will give you more details as application and how you will apply to our bank on how to transfer the fund into your bank account.
(1) Full names:
(2) private phone number:
(3) occupation:

Make sure you keep this transaction as top secret and make it confidential till we receive the fund into your bank account that you will provide to our bank. Don't disclose it to any body, because the secret of this transaction is as well as the success of it.
I look forward to hear from you call me immediately as soon as you receive this
message or email me urgent.

In sincerity,
Mr.Michel Konate

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam