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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: "winfred masaya" <wil_masaya2004@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 09:53:00 +0000
Subject: Urgent Business proposal

FROM: WILFRED MASAYA
TEL: +27 731 868 389
EMAIL: wil_masaya2002@hotmail.com
JOHANNESBURG - SOUTH AFRICA.

Good day to you,

My name is Mr. Wilfred Masaya, the elder son of late Mr. Murerwa Masaya of
Zimbabwe. It might be a surprise to you where I got your contact address
but I got your e-mail address from the Internet, please don’t be worried.
During the current crises against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters
of our President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white owned farms in our
country, he ordered all the white farmers to surrender their farms to his
party members and their followers.

My father was one of the best farmers in the country and knowing that he did
not support the President’s political ideology, the President’s supporters
invaded my father’s farm burnt down everything, killed him and confiscated
all his investments.

After the death of my father, my mother and I with my younger brother
decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives. We took along
with us the money my father kept in the safe in my mother’s house which
amounted to the sum of US$15,Million to the Republic of South Africa where
we have deposited it as personal valuables in the security company and seek
for political asylum.

My Mother and I have decided to contact any reliable overseas firm who could
assist us to transfer this money out of South Africa, because we as asylum
seeker here in South Africa cannot open a non-resident account through which
this fund will be channeled out to your nominated overseas account.

If my preposition is considered, for assisting us to transfer this money to
your country, we will offer you 20% of the total fund, and 5% of the total
will be set aside to cover any expenses incurred during this transaction.
Then 75% will be for me and my family to invest in your country under your
assistance.

My mother and I pray and plead for your help. You can contact us strictly on
Telephone: + 27 731 868 389 or through this email:
wil_masaya2002@hotmail.com

NOTE: THE KEY WORD TO THISTRANSACTION IS ABSOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY AND
SECRACY. THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% RISK FREE. Your urgent response will be
highly appreciated.

God bless you as you heed to our plea for assistance.

Best regards,

Wilfred Masaya.


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