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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: donwills1@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 12:06:42 +0200
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE

ATTN: THE DIRECTOR
FROM: MOHAMMED WILLIAMS
JOHANNESBURG
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
TEL: +27-72-587-0437
Email: donwills1@hotmail.com

Dear,

PRIVATE AND HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL

Greeting! I know you will be surprised to read from me, but please this letter is a request from a family in dire need of assistance. I am Mr. Mohammed Williams from Angola. The first and the only son of Brigadier Chanza Williams communicating to you from Johannesburg, South Africa.

I got your address from a business directory in Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry. And, I on behalf of my widowed mother Mrs. Bridget Williams decided to solicit for your assistance to
transfer the sum of US$15.8 Million (Fifteen Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars),
which he deposited in a safe box to private security company in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In fact, my father said, and I quote:My son, I wish to draw your attention to US$15.8 Million (Fifteen Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). I deposited the box containing the fund in a security company in Johannesburg, South Africa as valuables. During the war, I was very committed and dedicated in winning the war against the rebels, until I found out that the senior army officers and government functionaries were busy helping themselves with government funds and properties, sending them to foreign countries. Due to this, when the former
adviser to the president and I were assigned by the president (JOSE EDUARDO SANTOS) to purchase arms in South Africa, we saw this as a golden opportunity and diverted the money and share it, of which I got a total sum of US$15.8 Million (Fifteen Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

In case of my absence on earth as a result of death, only you should solicit for assistance of a reliable and sincere foreign partner to assist you to transfer this money out of South Africa for investment purpose. I deposited the box in your name and you can claim it alone with deposited code. Your mother is with all the documents. Take good care of your mother and your sisters.

From this words of my late father, you can understand that life and future of my family depend on this fund, as such I will be grateful if you can assist us. We are now living in South Africa as political asylum seekers. Financial laws and regulations of the Republic of South Africa do not permit us certain financial rights. In view of this, I cannot invest this fund in South Africa hence; I am seeking your assistance to transfer this fund out of South Africa for investment purpose. For your assistance, we are prepared to offer you 25% of the total fund while 5% will be set aside for any expenses incurred during this transaction.

Please note that this transaction is 100% risk-free and the major thing I demand from you is to assure me the safety of this money when it finally gets to you. Further information and arrangement commence as soon as trust confidence and good relationship are established.I shall be most grateful if you maintain the confidentiality of this matter. Please, confirm your interest through the above contact Telephone numbers or email.

Best regards,

MOHAMMED WILLIAMS.

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