419 scam: "Ms. Abiba Dior" <abiba.dior2016@yandex.com> A CRY FOR HELP

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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.
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:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
- +22577935880 (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.
- dior.abiba@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Ms. Abiba Dior" <abiba.dior2016@yandex.com>
Reply-To: dior.abiba@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 16:56:35 +0300
Subject: A CRY FOR HELP

ABIBA K. DIOR
Address: Villa Arthur, Quartier JF Kennedy,
Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire.
04/01/2016

Dearest one,
I am quite aware that my message will come to you as a surprise as it’s
indeed strange for someone you have not met before to contact you in this
regard. I apologize for the inconvenience that this letter may cause you.

I am a student of Methodist College, Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire. I pursue my
academic discipline with formal affiliation to church and without focusing
on ministerial training. I was born on 29th May 1998. Our school have
resumed today 04th January 2016. My school is about 490 KM from home. I am
2 semesters away from graduating with a degree in Sociology and
Environmental resource management.

This letter is a formal appeal to you for help with the tuition fees for
continuing my college education. I have received aid from my college as
financial aid, and this was enough while my mother had a job. However, my
mother has become disabled due to a heart attack, and since I am her only
child, I need to give her care in the mornings and evenings.

My family’s financial position has drastically changed. My mother is a
single parent. As a result of her illness, she was unable to pay the
portion of my college education as we thought at the time I made my
inscription. Due to financial constraints with my family, we are seeking
assistance from your good hands.

I did not apply for student loans, because my mother was unable to meet my
expenses and didn’t want to go into debt. I have also contacted my college
financial aid office for help, but they declined to increase my aid. I am
requesting you to help me through this difficult time, so I don’t have to
drop out of college.

Thank you for the time and consideration you have given my situation. I
hope to hear from you soon. I can be reached at (+225) 77 93 58 80 or at
dior.abiba@yahoo.com

I want to wish you a very Happy New Year. A new year is like a blank book,
and the pen is in your hands. It is your chance to write a beautiful story
for yourself. Out with the old, in with the new: may you be blessed with
Peace, Love and Happiness through the whole Year. May this 2016 be Year of
Abundance blessings to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Dior Abiba.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam