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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: "maria zuma" <mariazuma20016@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2005 06:39:25 +0000
Subject: FROM: MRS.MARIA ZUMA

JOHNNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
TELEPHONE NUMBER +27-73-108-5169
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
FROM: MRS.MARIA ZUMA
{FROM ZIMBABWE}

ATTN: PRESIDENT/CEO,

You may be surprised to receive this letter since you don't know me
personally, I am Mrs. MARIA ZUMA, the wife of late Dr.ALFRED ZUMA, who was
recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe. I got your
Contact through 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 blacks Zimbabwe rich farmers murdered in
cold blood by the agents of the ruling government of President Robert Mugabe
for his alleged support and sympathy of the Zimbabwean
Opposition party controlled by the whites.

Before his death, he took me and my son MARTIN to Johannesburg to deposit
the sum of US$7.6 Million United states Dollars) in Martin’s name as the
beneficiary with a private Security and Finance Company as if he foresaw the
looming danger in Zimbabwe.

The money was deposited as a consignment in a box to the security company to
avoid seizure, and to avoid much demurrage from the security company.


This money was for the purchase of new machines for the farm and
establishment of a new farm in Swaziland.

This land problem arose when President Robert Mugabe introduce a new land
act which wholly effects the rich white farmers and some blacks vehemently
condemned the modus operate adopted by the government that resulted
to rampant killings and mob acting by the war veterans and some political
thugs, precisely more than sixty one (61) people have been killed. Heads of
government from Western World especially Britain and United
States of America have voice their condemnation of Mugabe's plans.

Subsequently, the South African development community
(SADC) has continuously supported Mugabe's new land reform act. It is
against this background that I and my family who are currently staying in
South Africa have decided to transfer my husband's money into a foreign
Account.

Please, if you are willing to help me, my son and I have agreed to give you
20% while 5%will is for any expenses incurred in the process of this
transaction.

As the only wife to my late husband, I am saddled with the responsibility of
seeking for an account where this money could be transferred without the
knowledge of my government who had tactically freezing our family wealth and
South African Government seems to be playing along side with them. We have
decided not to invest this amount of money in South Africa for the
Fear of seizure and encountering the same experience in future since both
countries have almost the same political history. More so the South African
Foreign Exchange policy does not allow such investment hence we are asylum
seekers.

I must let you know that this transaction is 100% risk free. Therefore if
you accept this proposal, please contact my son MARTIN ZUMA who is the
beneficiary with the telephone number 27-722-66-82-78.

Please do send a mail, but you should know that this is highly confidential
and shall be kept within you alone. Have a nice stay and GOD bless you.

Best regards,
MRS.MARIA ZUMA.
{FOR THE FAMILY}

_________________________________________________________________
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