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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:

Fraud email example:

From: Rose koffi <a3@a3metric.com>
Reply-To: rose.koffi56@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 02 May 2015 23:49:55 +0100
Subject: Hello

Dear Friend, Sorry for not having the pleasure of knowing your mindset
before making you this offer, it is utterly confidential and genuine by
virtue of its nature. I write to solicit your assistance in a funds transfer
deal involving US$22.5M. Meanwhile, my name is ms Rose Koffi I work with UBA
group as internal auditor. UBA is a commercial bank to be precise. During one
of our internal audit exercise, I came across a very dormant account of a
deceased customer who died years ago. The said account (money) has been
there dormant for over many years now without claims. Very soon the
government would have hold to it. Instead of that, I have decided to channel
it for my own use through your co operation. I also plan to donate some part
of the fund into charitable organization. It is up to you to decide whether
this letter deserves your trust and confidentiality. And if indeed it does,
whatever your actions and your decision let me know immediately so that I
will give you the detail how we should go about it. If you concur with this
proposal, I intend for you to retain 45% of the funds while 55% shall be for
me Thanks Yours sincerely
Rose Koffi

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