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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: markzuma@webmail.co.za
Date: Thu, 08 Apr 2004 05:34:08 +0200
Subject: ASSISTANCE NEEDED

JOHANNESBURG,
SOUTH AFRICA.
TEL: +27-73-289-8386




Dear sir,madam

You may be surprise to receive this message from
me since you don't know me in person, but for the
purpose of introduction, I am MR.MARK ZUMA, the
son of late MR. DAVID ZUMA, who was murdered in a
land dispute in ZIMBABWE.

I got your contact through the South African
Information Exchange Online,then I decided to write
you. My late father was among the few black Zimbabwean
rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the agent of
the ruling government of President ROBERT MUGABE for
his alleged support and sympathy for Zimbabwean
opposition party.

Before the death of my father, he took me to South
Africa to deposit the sum of Thirty Five Million Two
Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($35.2m) with a security
and finance company, as if he knew the looming danger
in Zimbabwe. The money was deposited as a gem or
precious stone to avoid much demurrage from the
security firm. This money was earmarked for the
purchase of new machinery and chemicals for the farms
and the establishment of new farms in Lesotho and
Swaziland.

This land problem arose when President R. MUGABE
introduced a new land Act. which wholly affects the
White rich farmers and some few blacks vehemently
condemned the 'MODUS OPERANDI' adopted by the
government. This resulted to rampant killing and mob
actions.

I and my family who are currently staying in South
Africa as a refugee or an asylum seeker have decided
to transfer this money to a foreign country where we
can invest it. I am faced with the dilemma of
investing this amount of money in South Africa for
fear of encountering the same experience in future
since both countries have the same political history.
Moreover, the South African monetary policy/law does
not allow such investment by an asylum seeker or
refugee.

I must let you know that this transaction is 100% risk
free and the nature of your business does not
necessary matter. So if you are willing to assist us,
I and my family have agreed to give whoever can be of
help 15% of the total money, 40% will be for a joint
business venture I will be doing with you and another
40% will be for me and my family which we shall also
invest in your country and the remaining 5% will be
mapped out for all expenses we may incurred during the
transaction.

Therefore, if you are willing and interested to render
the needed assistance, endeavor to reply through my
email address or the above tel./fax No. I also need
your private phone and fax number for easy
communication. Remember that this is highly
confidential and the success of this business depends
on how secret it is kept.

Expecting your reply soonest.

Best Regard.

MARK ZUMA

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