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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: "steve pedro" <stevepedro2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: stevepedro2@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004 17:23:24 +0000
Subject: We have been trying to contact you:

FROM: MR.STEVE PEDRO
TEL : +27-73-36-36-291
ADDRESS : NO. 35 MARTIN VENUE
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA

ATTN: DIRECTOR /CEO.



You may be surprise to receive this letter from me since you don't know me
personally.I am Mr.STEVE PEDRO the son of Dr JOHN PEDRO , who was recently
murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe.I got your contact through Network
on line in my search for a reliable and reputable person to handle a very
confidential transaction which involves a transfer of fund to a foreign
account and I decided to write you, My Late Father was among the Zimbabwean
Rich Farmers murdered in Cold Blood by the agents of the ruling government
of President Robert Mugabe for his alleged support and sympathy for the
Zimbabwean opposition party controlled by the white minority. Before his
death he had taken to Johannesburg - South Africa to deposit the sum of
US$25.5 Million (Twenty Five Million Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars)with a Security and Finance Company as if he foresaw the looming
danger in Zimbabwe.

The money was deposite din a Box as valuables to avoid much demurrage from
the Security Company. This money was embarked from the purchase of New
Machinery and Chemical for Farms and the establishment of new farms in
Lesotho and Swaziland. This land problem arose when President Robert Mugabe
introduced a new land act that wholly affected the Rich White Farmers and
some few blacks vehemently condemned the "Modus Operandi" adopted by the
government. This resulted to rampant killing and mob action by the war
veterans and some political thugs. Precisely, More than thirty-one
(31)people have so far been killed. Heads of governments from the
west,especially Britain and United States of America have voiced their
condemnation of Mugabe'splan. Subsequently, South African Development
Community (S.A.D.C) has continuously supported Mugabe's new land act, it is
against this background that I and my family who are currently residing in
South Africa have decided to transfer my Father's money into a Foreign
Account.

As the eldest son of my Father, I am saddled with the responsibility of
seeking a genuine foreign account where this money could be transferred
without the knowledge of my government who are tactically freezing our
family wealth and South Africa's government seems to be playing along with
them. I am faced with the dilemma of investing this money in South Africa
for fear of encountering the same experience in future since both countries
have almost the same political history.

More so, the South African Foreign Exchange policy does not allow such
investment hence we are seeking for an "ASYLUM". As a business person whom I
entrusted my future and that of my family into his hands, I must let you
know that this transaction is 100% risk free and the nature of your business
does not necessarily matter. For your assistance, we are offering you 30% of
the total sum, 60% for Me and My Family while 10% will be mapped out for any
expenses we may incure during the course of this transaction. We wish to
invest our part of the money on commercial property based on your advice.

Finally, all we demand from you is assurance that you will not sit on this
money when it finally gets to your personal or company's account in your
country. If this proposal is acceptable by you, please confirm your interest
via the above TEL number or E-MAIL me.

Best Regards.

STEVE PEDRO

(For the Family).


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