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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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Fraud email example:

From: lumumbawilliams@yahoo.co.in
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 17:06:25 +0200
Subject: DR WILLIAMS LUMUMBA.

DR WILLIAMS LUMUMBA.
TEL: 27-83-747-0152

REF: INVESTMENT IN TOURISM INDUSTRY, BUYING OF HOTEL,
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,REAL ESTATE, JOINT VENTURE AND COMPANY
ACQUISITION.

Dear Sir,

I got your contact through the chamber of commerce
during my enquiry about a reputable company/person I
can enter into joint business though I never expose
the nature of business I have in mind because it needs
privacy. This is about possible investment of
US Dollars 27.5 million. I am Dr Williams Lumumba a
Politician and former personal adviser to late
President Laurent Kabila of Democratic republic of
Congo {Formerly Zaire}. His Excellency fought and
removed the tyrant Mobutu Sese Seko from power. Since
taking over, his govt had been attacked by rebels
until 16th January 2001 when he was assassinated by
his personal bodyguard as a result of security lapses
due to conspiracy in the presidential Villa.

Before this incident, the President had secretly
ordered me to transport a box containing the sum of
USDOLLARS 27. 5 Million to South Africa and wait
further directives. I travelled with the box and
entered South Africa successfully via Diplomatic means
only to hear about his assassination. Due to secret
nature of my trip and uncertainty at home, I decided
to stay back here and seek political asylum because my
wife and children are already staying here as
refugees. It was later I learnt that South African monetary policy
prohibit refugees from operating bank accounts or
doing business. So I lodged the box containing the
money with a private Security / Trust Company as a
Bonded consignment. This will prevent the security officials
from inspecting the box content for whatsoever reason.
Therefore I paid high deposit and demurrage fees to
comply with their policy for bonding consignments.

Now everything has settle down with nobody knowing or
asking about this money. I decided to contact you for
assistance in investing this money in your country. I
offer you 30 % share of the money, 5% will be to offset
any expenses that may arise while 65% is for my
family investment plans overseas. You will also help
me to settle my family in your country and for my
children to enter good schools. This deal is risk free
because good arrangement has been made for the money
to move out. If you accept my offer please call me
urgently on my direct line for more clarification. I
will also request that you keep this matter private so
that we can succeed in this business.

Thanks in anticipation of your kind cooperation while
I wait your call or reply mail.

Best Regards,
DR WILLIAMS LUMUMBA.

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