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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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Please note about this email:

Fraud email example:

From: "steve williams" <steve_zawilliams@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 May 2005 15:10:24 +0200
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE:

FROM STEVE WILLIAMS.
116 PROES AVENUE,
PRETORIA CITY
P.O BOX 429
PRETORIA 0001
PHONE:(27+83-431-8551) 
E-mail:
steve_zawilliams@hotmail.com   
 
Attention:

I know you will be surprise to receive this mail; I got your contact through the net when I was searching for a reliable person who will assist my family out of this predicament here in South Africa. I am STEVE WILLIAMS, a son of a rich farmer in Zimbabwe Late Mr. JOHNSON WILLIAMS. My father was assassinated last two years in the war zone area in Zimbabwe.
 
My mother and my two younger sisters are presently in South Africa, where we were granted political asylum. I inherited the sum of US $10.7 Million Dollars (TEN MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS) from my father; this money has been successfully conveyed to me in to South Africa and was deposited in private security and finance company by my late father. I have every documents to this fund including my father's last WILL.
 
My reason for contacting you is that this country is NO longer a safe place for me and my family investment for the fear of encountering the same experience of my late father in future since the both countries has the same political history and common boundary, based on this point we seek for your assistance as a reliable partner to do this transaction with us Abroad.
 
If you are interested in assisting us to invest this money in your country or becoming my partner in business, please try to contact me on the above number as soon as possible. Endeavor to keep this transaction very private and confidential, Because it's my family lifetime future investment, What will be your percentage for assisting us?
 
Best Regard.
Steve Williams.

Anti-fraud resources: