419 scam: "maurice aku" <maurice_aku16@hotmail.com> FROM: CHIEF MAURICE AKU.

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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:
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22507161975 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- maurice_aku1@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "maurice aku" <maurice_aku16@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: maurice_aku1@yahoo.it
Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2006 10:22:20 +0000
Subject: FROM: CHIEF MAURICE AKU.

FROM: CHIEF MAURICE AKU.
TEL : +225 07161975
EMAIL; maurice_aku1@yahoo.it
ABIDJAN, COTE DIVOIRE.
WEST AFRICA .

Ref: 750KG ALLUVIAL GOLD DUST FOR SALE

Dear Sir/ Madam,

We are small scale Gold miners here on the sub-region of West Africa . We
have some huge quantity of alluvial Gold Dust for sale at a considerable
price of $7,500USD per kilo which is below world market price. If you are
interested, do not hesitate to get back to us as soon as possible for us to
give you our full co-operate offer (FCO).

We look forward in doing a long lasting business transaction with you

Best Regards

Chief Maurice Aku.

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam