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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: "ambros sotho" <ambrossotho9@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: ambrossotho@myway.com
Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 10:17:29 +0000
Subject: FAMILY ASSISTANCE PLEASE.

FROM:MR:AMBROS SOTHO
#20 BOTHA CRESENT,
SANDTON JOHANNESBURG,
SOUTH AFRICA.
PHONE:+27-73-336-7637.
EMAIL: ambrossotho1@hotmail.com

 
Sir/Madam
 
                       APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE
 
I am Mr:AMBROS SOTHO the eldest son of Mr:PHILLIP SOTHO who was murdered with other white farmers in the land dispute violence in Zimbabwe. In keen interest to invest in your country, I got your contact information through the South African Information Exchange (S.A.I.E) here in Johannesburg South Africa and decided to write for assistance.
 
My late father was among the few black Zimbabwean rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the killer squad of the ruling party Zimbabwean Government of President ROBERT MUGABE on the 6th of June 2002, for his alleged support and sympathy for the opposition party controlled by white farmers.
 
Before his death, he had taken me to Johannesburg to deposited the sum of US18,500 000.00 (EIGHTEEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED UNITED STATES DOLLARS) with a Security and Finance Company, as if he foresaw the looming danger in that could erupt from the farm in Zimbabwe. This money was deposited in a box as a consignment labeled “Family treasure” with the Security Company. This land problem arose in a President ROBERT MUGABE introduce a new land act called (LAND EVICTION ORDER) which wholly affected the rich white farmers and some objective blacks vehemently condemned the modus operandi adopted by the government. This resulted to forceful ejection of white from their lands, rampant killing, arson and mob actions by veteran and some political thugs, see this site for more details;
 
(1)http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4247993.stm
(2)http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2805381.stm
 
As the eldest son of my late father, I am saddled with the responsibility of seeking a genuine foreign account where this money could be transferred without the knowledge of Zimbabwean government who has tactically frozen my family’s wealth. Secondly, my mother is presently sick of heart disease and the need to fly out for a medical operation on her is very important, but how can we fly without this fund.
 
Presently, we are residing temporarily in Johannesburg South Africa pending the outcome of an appeal filed on our behalf by our family attorney for the department of HOME AFFAIRS to grant us asylum status. At the moment we are in dilemma to the fiscal laws inhabiting South African Refugees on monetary policy.
 
Modalities to this transfer are ready with the help of a Banker (who has been assisting us) here in South Africa, who by his help we have finish all the arrangement, the way this money should be transferred easily. But the problem we are facing is how to get an honest and responsible person that can keep this money safe and stand as the beneficiary.
 
I have two options, firstly, you can choose to have certain percentage of this money for nominating your account for this transaction, or you can go into partnership with me for proper profitable investment of the money in your country. Whichever the option you want, feel free to notify me. I have mapped out 5% of this money for all kinds of expenses that might be incurred in the process of this transaction.
 
If you do not prefer a partnership, I am willing to give you 20% of the total money, while 75% will be for my family. If you are really capable and willing to assist me. I am looking forward with a view to hearing from you soonest.
 
Regards.
AMBROS SOTHO
+27-73-336-7637


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