419 scam: Koudou Gbagbo <gbagbokoudoumichel29@msn.com> YOUR ATTENTION IS URGENTLY NEEDED

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Koudou Gbagbo <gbagbokoudoumichel29@msn.com>
Reply-To: <gbagbokoudoumichel@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:44:36 +0000
Subject: YOUR ATTENTION IS URGENTLY NEEDED

Dear Friend

I need your services in a confidential matter regarding a family fund deposited in a finance company in Ghana by my Mother, a wife of the formal Ivorian President Mr. Laurent Gbagbo. This requires a private arrangement for you to receive this fund under legal claims as my foreign beneficiary; all legal documents will be carefully worked out to ensure a risky free transfer. I am willing to pay a generous management fee as well as appreciation as soon as this transaction is completed.

I have all the details; the fund in question is ($20,500,000.00) twenty million five hundred dollars. I will expect a straight answer from you. Yes or no. If yes, kindly furnish me with your personal information, which must include your direct cell phone/fax numbers, address and company name, then we’ll work out the modalities.

Please I seek your assistance in the following ways:
1. To assist me look for a profitable business in your country, where I can invest to sustain my living until the political crisis in my country is over.
2. To assist me purchase a living home, and further my education in your country.

E-mail me as soon as you receive this proposal to enable me acknowledge the receipt of my email and I will inform you what you need to do.

Regards,
Koudou Michel Gbagbo

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam