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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: susanandmartins@netscape.net
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 06:36:57 -0400
Subject: PLEASE GET BACK TO ME.

This mail may come to you as a surprise base on the fact that, we have not met .I got your contact from a directory in search for a reliable personality that could understand our situation to help us. I am a Zimbabwe citizen presently taking refugee in GHANA. Due to crises in my country coupled with the assassination of my late Husband MR.ERIC MARTINS who was killed by PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE war veteran association who are calling for the white collection of farm land from all white settlers which is wrong.

My HUSBAND due to his stand over these issues fell out with the ruling party of PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE. Now myself and my kids had to flee from our country to find refuge here in GHANA. Before the death of my Husband he was a major dealer of Diamond and Merchandise .He secretly moved these funds acquired from various sales in a trunk-box and deposited it in a security deposit company in Ghana. But at the time of deposit he told the security company that it is family valuables that are contained in the 2trunkboxes. The total amount contained in the boxes is $6.7 MILLION USD. unknowingly to the security company. We need a trust worthy and experience person that will help us to invest this money in your country and take us as one family and will also buy a house for us over there where we can live safely.

We are prepared to give you 20% of the money for that assistance. We are expecting to hear from you. waiting you for your anticipated cooperation. Please in your reply include your Telephone number and Fax number. YOU CAN READ FROM THE WEBSITE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS IN ZIMBABWE.
http://www.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/africa/05/03/zimbabwe.01/index.html

Best Regards,
SUZAN MARTINS
FOR THE FAMILY.

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