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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: "MR JOEL JOHNSON" <joeljohnson@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: joeljohnson2004@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2005 08:04:09 -0800
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS ASSITANCE

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
FROM: MR JOEL JOHNSON
JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICA
TEL : +27-83-239-4215
E-MAIL: joeljohnson2004@yahoo.com

URGENT ASSISTANCE/INVESTMENT

DEAR SIR /MADAM

With due respect, trust and humanity, I write this letter to you seeking your help and assistance though Its difficult since we have not met before. I got your good contact from the South African Information Exchange (SAIE) regarding your business profile and sincerity. I
believe that you are capable and reliable in handling this urgent international transaction of this sort.I am Mr joel johnson, the son of the Comrade Joseph johnson the Zimbabwean fomer Minister for Youth & Gender Equality who is also a businessman and politician, in the Zimbabwean political arena . My father was the famous politician who stood firm against President Mugabes idea of continuous fight in Democratic Republic of Congo and my father also stood against the seizure of white owned farms and the distribution of it to the blacks without compesation to the white owners.Because of my fathers sincerity he was killed on14th April 2002 by a planned motor accident along Mashonaland in Western Mashona Province of
Zimbabwe, the planners of the accident is to be said dissidents soldiers suspected to have the backing of the Government and President Mugabe himself. Sir, when this accident occurred at about 10:15 am Zimbabwean time my father did not die on the spot rather he was rushed to Harare hospital by unknown soldiers and my father managed to call my younger brother and me through his assistance, and when my brother and I
rushed to the hospital my father only managed to sneak a written message to us, explaining his condition concerning one diplomatic box he concealed under the roof of his private bedroom containing US$10,500 (TEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS) and other vital documents which was meant for his political campaign in the next election June 2002.
He instructed me to take my brother and my younger sister with the box and leave Zimbabwe immediately for our safety, which we have successfully did and now we are in South Africa with the money deposited in a Private Security Company with the original documents of deposit intact.But because of the countrys exixsting law which bans asyllum seekers /refugees like us to operate an account that exceed US$2,000.00 and the fear of money not raising eyebrows here in South Africa, I decided to write to you to seek for your help for this money
to be transferred into your private bank account as all arrangements for a hitch-free transfer have been fully taken care of.I want to assure you also that this transaction is 100% risk free as no other person knows about this box apart from my younger brother and my self.
Sir, as for your reward for your kind assistance we have resolved to give you 20% of the total amount, 5% for any expenses that might be incurred in the course of this transaction. We planned to invest the rest of the money in your country under your guidance . If you are willing to help us try as much as possible to reach me with the above numbers to enable us proceed in earnest towards concluding all transaction.
Sir, bear it in mind that our lives solely depend on this fund and we do hope that this money will be safe when finally transferred into your account. I do hope of establishing a rewarding and good relationship with you and your family after this transaction.Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible. Thank you for your co-operation and God bless.
Best regards.

Mr JOEL JOHNSON
(FOR THE FAMILY)



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