419 scam: Kojo Michael <willsontony73@gmail.com> GREETING FROM GAMBIA

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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:
- "the 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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "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 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)
- "liberia" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: Kojo Michael <willsontony73@gmail.com>
Reply-To: kojomicheal76@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 08:09:44 -0700
Subject: GREETING FROM GAMBIA

Hello,

I 'm Kojo Michael from Liberia, but presently living in Gambia with my
little sister Haddy, due to our condition since the death of our
parents. However, I write to seek your help and cooperation to help us
retrieve our consignment which contains (money) which is seal in a
trunk box and put in security vault. The vault agrees to be using
their emissary as courier for onward delivery of the consignment to
your country after Mr.Hassan Hamid disappointed us out of his
greediness.

At first, our agreement is 20% which 5% should be set aside to
procuring any expenses upon delivery of the total sum of the money
US$5.5 Million Dollars, 57kilos of gold bar and gold dust plus
1500carat of diamond stones, but he later changed our initial
agreement with him and demanding for 60% of the total sum. Please, if
you can assist/help us retrieve the consignment box (money) from the
diplomat, as the vault does not know the content of the consignment,
we will be very happy to compensate you with 25% of the total sum.

Furthermore, I will give you the contact details of the delivery agent
so that you can speak with delivery services and then take delivery of
the consignment box (fund) to be delivered to your destination address
on our behalf then you will help us to process our traveling documents
after delivery is being successfully made to you so that we can
relocate to your country to continue our education. You will advise us
on whatever profitable ventures which we shall invest on our
percentages on Please, I would also need an experienced person like
you to assist us set up; develop a good investment project that will
yield us profit, before we complete our education.

You will be in charge of the investment and you will also be entitled
to a percentage
agreed upon from the investment. I am expecting your urgent response.

Your maximum cooperation is highly needed.

Thank you and God bless,
Kojo Michael & Haddy

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam