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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: "David Zuma" <davidzuma@mailbox.co.za>
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 20:09:40 +0200
Subject: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

FROM: DAVID ZUMA
#83 Davidson Street, Fairland,
Johannesburg, South Africa
TEL: +27-83-696-1410
FAX: +27-83-565-3200
Email:davidzuma@mailbox.co.za

Attn: Director/CEO,

You may be surprised to receive this letter from me since you do not know me personally. I am David Zuma, the first son of Mr. Smith Zuma of Zimbabwe.

During the current crisis against 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 and rich farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and followers.

My father was one of the best farmers in the country and a major financier/sponsor of the opposition party,[Movement for democratic Change MDC],and knowing that my father did not support the president’s political ideology, the President’s supporters invaded my fathers farm, killed him and took over it.

Before the death of my father, he had taken me to Johannesburg to deposit the sum of $24,000,000.00(Twenty Four million united States Dollars), in one of the private security companies, as he forsaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe. This money was deposited in a box as gemstones, to avoid much demurrage from the security company. This amount was meant for the purchase of new machines and chemicals for the farms and establishment of new farms in Swaziland.

My family and I fled Zimbabwe for fear of our lives and are currently staying in Johannesburg South Africa, where we are seeking political asylum and moreso have decided to transfer my father’s money to a more reliable foreign account.
Since, the law of South Africa prohibits a refugee (asylum seeker) from opening any account or to be involved in any financial transaction throughout its territory.

As the eldest son of my father, I am saddled with the responsibility of seeking a genuine partner that could assist me without the knowledge of my government, who are bent on taking everything we have got. I am faced with the dilemma of moving this amount of money out of South Africa for fear of going through the same experience in future, as both countries have similar political history. As a businessman, I am seeking for a partner who I have to entrust my future and that of my family in his hands. I must let you know that this transaction is risk free.

Furthermore, this money I intend to use for investment. If my proposal is considered, for assisting us to transfer this money to your country under your supervision, We have agreed to give you 30% of the total sum for your assistance and 5% for the expenses that might be incurred in the course of the transfer and 65% for the family’s investment in your country, which you will assist us materialized further information and discussion about the investment in your country.

As soon as this transaction commences you should give us the assurance and confidence that this money will be safe when transferred to your account and please, treat this matter with urgency.

Feel free to contact me on the above telephone or fax numbers.

Thanks and God bless.

Best Regards,

DAVID ZUMA.

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