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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Alica Kokou" <alicakokou01@vmail.me>
Reply-To: alica_kokouu@yahoo.fr
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2015 00:57:17 +0200
Subject: My Dear



--
My Dear


With warm heart I offer my friendship, and my greetings to you in the
name of our lord, and I hope this letter meets you in good time, I
propose with my free mind and as a person of integrity from God, I know
that this message will appear as a surprise to you that we barely know
but the grace of God directed me to you and I wish you read this message
and be blessed in name of the Lord.


I have a brain tumor, I suffer terribly at the moment. My doctor just
informed me that my days are numbered because of my health therefore
condemned to certain death. Currently, I have exhausted all my savings
for my medical care.


But I do have some funds for my charity project, these funds are
deposited in a fixed deposit in a local bank here in Benin. Purposed for
charitable foundation, my marital status is such that I'm single because
I lost my Husband over 9 years now and unfortunately we have not had a
child together, which I am no one to leave my legacy for. Therefore, to
release my funds I would like to make a donation so that there is no
stiff tax on my money.


To this I would be so graceful and in order to help the poor to give
what amounts to said legacy worth Four Million Euros (€4,000,000.00) to
enable you establish a charitable foundation in my memory so that the
grace of God be with me until my last home so I can receive an honorable
place with the Lord our father.


I have no fear because before contacted you, I have several nights
prayed for the Lord to give me the contact of a trusted person of whom I
can entrust this matter and I believe my contacts to you is divine.


Know that you can keep 30% of the money for yourself and the rest will
be used to create a charitable foundation in my memory and a federation
in the fight against cancer and also build orphanages. I would have the
following information: Your name and first name, your exact address and
your permanent telephone contact so I can forward them to my lawyer to
appear that you perform the procedure under deal.


I count on your goodwill and especially on the proper use of these funds
have something I do not doubt because I have great confidence in you
that God may guide me toward you. My private E-mail:
alica_kokouu@yahoo.fr


Awaiting your prompt reply, receive my cordial and fraternal greetings.


Yours Sincerely,


Mrs. Alica Kokou.

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