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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "MARK HOPE" <michealzz1@atlas.cz> (may be fake)
Reply-To: michealzz1@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2004 19:40:32 -0700
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE

Ottam Refugee Camp,
Zone Portaire,
Ottam-lomei 9224,
Lome-Togo.

Dear Sir,


Greeting to you, I am the son of the late Richard Mbomi Matingua (a foremost human rights activist in the Democratic Republic of Congo). My father died in febuary. 28th, 2004, as a result of the inhuman treatment meted out on him while in prison by the government of Laurent Joseph Kabila.

However, it is particularly important to mention here that before the death of
my father, he was a successful businessman and his business
empire includes real estate, exportation, and
consultancy services which cut across Africa. He was able to accumulate enough
money both in local and foreign currencies through his businessempire. Infact,
he was at
one time rated among the first five richest Congolese businessmen by one of
the leading business magazines in my country.His entire business has been on
the upward trend over the past ten years,bringing his net profit during the
period under review to Thirty One million Five Hundred Thousand U.S Dollars
($31.5M), This of course does not include his assets which are already running into millions of dollars.

Having said all this, there was a twist in my father's success story following
his confrontation with the government of Laurent Joseph Kabila, who has been
quite high-handed and dictatorial in his policies and day-to-day run ning of the affairs of the Congolese people. My father being a human rights activist, criticised his government in both local and international newspapers.This infuriated him and he clamped my father in jail until he died in Feb. 28 2004, this year due toill health. Fortunately, before the arrest of my father,his attorney acting upon his instructions, transferred the sum of Thirty One Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S Dollars ($31.5m) from his local banks to a Security Firm Abroad. He did this for fear of his accounts being frozen by the government. Following my father's death, my entire family decided to seek political
assylum in Ottam-lomei,Lome-Togo.As the eldest son of my late father and according to our tradition in Africa.I have now inherited all my father's wealth.Considering the present

face-off between Laurent Joseph Kabila and my family,Iwas then advised by my father's
attorney(presently my attorney) to seek the assistance of someone based in your
country to receive the amount in question being ($31.5m). Since I have the intention of relocating my family there with the aim of settling down there and investing.
I have decided to give you 25% of the total amount for your services and assistance.

To finalize this transactionyou will have to contact me via my e-mail addres above & michaelzz1@atlas.cz further discussions will be centered on how and when you shall be meeting with the Security Firm Shortlisted Clearing Agent. I shall expect you to keep this transaction confidential due to the present circumstance of my family and I urgently await your response.

Yours faithfull
Mark Hope Matingua.



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