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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: fmbubu@webmail.co.za
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 13:40:27 -0800
Subject: Investmen Partnership

Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Franklin Mbubu former personal assistance to the Late President Gnassingbe
Eyadema of Togo, a small country in the West Africa. The President passed away recently.
I got your contact through an Italian businessman that stayed and operated in Lome the
capital city of Togo.
During the last days of the President, he delegated me in my capacity as his personal
assistant to assist him to secure various properties in France to the tune of Euros25M
(Twenty Five Million Euros). This was not done before the death of the President.
After the death of the President the Army brought his eldest son into power. This brought
a lot of disagreement from the opposition. As the constitution allows the speaker of the
Parliament to take over power in case the President should declared not fit to rule,
either through falling health or death. Since then there have been series of unrest in
the country. In the light of this unrest I decided to seek refuge in the Republic of
South Africa.
The Euros25M the late President release to me for the purchase of the properties in
France was in Cash. Due to present political crisis in Togo; I decided to move the money
with me to South Africa.
At present I am a refugee in Republic of South Africa and as result of my refugee status
I am not allowed to own a bank account in the Country. I hereby appeal to you to assist me in
Banking and investing this money in your country.
If you are interested in my proposal, I have decided to give you 20% of the fund, while
10% has been mapped out for local and International running cost. This proposal should be
treated as top secret in view of the amount involved, as well as my position.
Please contact me on the above Telephone Number
Yours Faithfully
Franklin Mbubu.

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