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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: "chikoya patrick" <patchikoya002@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2005 14:21:07 +0200
Subject: URGENT FAMILY ASSISTANCE

ATTN: THE PRESIDENT /CEO; 27-73-293-3769 

 HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Sir/Madam,

You may be surprised to receive this letter from me since you don't know me personally, but for the
introduction, I am MR PATRICK CHIKOYA the son of DR DESMOND CHIKOYA who was murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe. I got your contact from the INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE here in Johannesburg and I decided to write to you.
My late father was among the few black Zimbabwean rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the agents of the ruling goverment of President Robert Mugabe (Zanu-PF) for his allaged support and sympathy for the Zimbabwean opposition party (MDC),partly controlled by the white minority.
Before his death, he had taken me to Johannesburg to deposit the sum of SIXTEEN MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS (USS16.5M) in a security and finance company as if he knew the looming danger in Zimbabwea. The money was deposited in a box as a gemstone (ie the exact content not declared) to avoid much demurrage from the security company. This money was earmarked for the purchase of new farm machinery and chemicals for the establishment of new
farms in Lesotho and Swaziland.
This land problem arose when President Robert Mugabe introduced a new land reform act, which wholly affected the rich white farmers and some few blacks vehemently condemned the 'modus Operandi' adopted by the government. This resulted to rampant killings and mob actions by the war veterans and some political thugs. This unrest, accounted for vast and numerous lost of live and properties in Zimbabwe.
Despite the suspension of Zimbabwe from Commonwealth, yet President Robert Mugabe still clamps down on the freedom of the press and that of Human right in general and tactically victimizes his so called "Enemy of the state and the White puppets"
Heads of government from the west, especially Britain and the United state of America have voiced out thier condemnation of Mugabe's plan. Subsequently, the  Souther African Development Community has continuously supported Mugabe's new land Act.It is against this background that I and my family who are currently staying in South Africa have decided to tranfer 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 transfered without the knowledge of my government who are tactically freezing our family wealth and South Africa govenment seems to be playing around with them.
I am faced with the dilemma of investing this amount of money in South Africa for the 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 I am seeking for asylum.
As a businessman whom I must entrust my future and that of my family on his hands, I must let you konw that this transaction is 100% risk free and the nature of your business does not necessarily matter.
Therefore if you accept to assist my family, and me we are willing to offer you 20% of the total sun for your assistance, 70% for me and my family, 10% will be mapped out for all expenses. I would wish to invest in your country on commerical property based on your advice and I would also receive assurance that you would not sit on this money when transfered into your
personal or company account.
If this proposal is acceptable by you please do send to me your details, name and address, telephone and fax numbers. You should know that this business is highly confidentail and shall be kept within you alone.
I hope to hear from you on the above number, or on my
E-mail address.
Best regards,
MR. PATRICK CHIKOYA.


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