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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: "Mrs. Margaret Zuma" <mrsjacobzuma_ssa@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: magaretzuma@k.ro
Date: Fri, 04 Nov 2005 15:08:25 +0000
Subject: I solicit your attention

Dear Friend,

I am wife of sacked deputy President of South Africa Jacob zuma.

It is out of desperation i am sending you this email. My husband and i

need your help to front for us as owners of funds that are his which

might come under investigation if
the funds ownership is not changed soonest.

As my husband's finances are increasingly becoming the source of

investigation by our detractors.The source of this funds which my

husband's earnings would not validate
will further sink him into the cesspool dug by our enemies.It is

because of the dire situation we find ourselves that we resolve to

reach you and ask for your assistance in this matter.

It is only customary in Africa when one occupies such high position

like my husband did, to enjoy the privilege of being presented with

gratifications sometimes through the award of contracts. Especially by

companies that came into operation during his tenure. But due to the

recent plot by our detractors towards my husband, hence we immediately

wish to move some funds away that his income cannot account for and

which came in form of gratification while he was in office.

We are averse to letting those we know here into this transaction

because we are no longer sure who our friends are.You will be

handsomely rewarded if you choose to help us in partnership in this

deal.If you are willing to assist us, please do reply me through this

e-mail address
magaretzuma@k.ro


I will be expecting to hear from you as soon as possible, and will

disclose further details to you upon your response. Do well not to

disclose the content of this mail to anyone.

Best Regards
Mrs. Margaret Zuma


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