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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: ruthnpofu1@hotmail.co.uk
Date: Sat, 21 May 2005 02:30:31 -0800
Subject: URGENT REPLY

MRS. RUTH NPOFU.
TEL: +27-73-786-8904
Email:ruthnpofu@hotmail.co.uk

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

ATTN.THE PRESIDENT/CEO.

You may be surprise to receive this letter from me since
you do not know me personally, but for the purpose of
introduction. I am MRS. RUTH NPOFU the wife of MR.SOLOMON
NPOFU, who was recently murdered in the land dispute in
Zimbabwe. I got your contact from the South African
information Exchange (S.A.I.E) here in Johannesburg and I
decided to write for assistance.

My late Husband was among the few black Zimbabwe rich
farmers murdered in cold blood by the agents of the ruling
government of president ROBERT MUGABE for his alleged
support and sympathy for the Zimbabwean opposition party
controlled by the whites. Before his death, he had taken me
to Johannesburg to deposit the sum of TWENTY MILLION FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS (US$20.5
MILLION),with the security and finance company, as if he
foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe.

The money was deposited in a box as consignment to the
Security Company to avoid seizure, and also to avoid much
demurrage from the Security Company. This money was
earmarked for the purpose of new machinery and chemicals
for arms and the establishment of new farms in Lesotho and
Swaziland.

This land problem arose when president ROBERT MUGABE
introduced a new land act,which wholly affected rich white
farmers and some few blacks vehemently condemned the "Modus
Operandi" adopted by the government, that result to rampant
killings and mob actions by the war veteran and some
political thugs. Precisely,more than thirty-one (31) people
have been killed.

Heads of Government from the west, especially British and
United States of America have voiced their condemnation of
Mugabe’s plan. Subsequently the South Africa
Government community (S.A.D.C) has continuously supported
Mugabe,s new land reform act.

It is against this background that I and my children who
are currently staying in South Africa have decided to
transfer my late Husband money into a foreign accounts, as
the only Wife of my late husband, I am saddled with the
responsibilities of seeking a genuine foreign account where
this money could be transferred without the knowledge of
Government who are tactically freezing our family wealth
and the South Africa Government seem to be playing along
with them.

We are faced with the dilemma of investing this amount in
South Africa for fear of seizure and encountering the same
experience in future since both countries have almost the
same history. Moreso, the South Africa foreign Exchange
policy does not allow such investment since we are asylum
seeker. As a businessman who we must entrust our future on
his/her hands, I must let you know that this transaction is
100%risk free. Therefore, if you accept us we are willing
to offer you 25% of the total sum for your assistance, 70%
will be for my family’s investment in your country
while 5% will be used for all expenses that you might be
incurred during the process of the transaction.

If this proposal is acceptable to you, contact my son (
PRINCE NPOFU)on his above details , but you should know
that this business is highly confidential and shall be kept
within yourself.

Waiting to hear from you soonest.

Best regards

MRS. RUTH NPOFU.
PLEASE YOU CAN READ ABOUT PROBLEMS IN ZIMBABWE FROM THE
LINKS BELOW.
http://www.1freespace.com/beetee/nov19_2001.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm
http://www.gta.gov.zw/land%20issues/LAND.htm

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