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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: "thenba nkomo" <thembankomo_2006@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 08 Aug 2005 09:42:13 +0200
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE GREETTINGS!!!

FROM : MR MICHAEL SMITH
 
(EMAIL:zuma2@highveldmasil.co.za)
                                                      

     URGENT ASSISTANCE GREETTINGS!!!

                     ATT:

You may be surprised to receive this letter from me since
you dont know me personally.

I am Mr.MICHAEL SMITH the son of Dr. SIMON  SMITH,who was recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe.

 I got your contactthrough Network on line in my search for a reliable and reputable person to handle a very confidential transaction that involves a transfer of a fund to a foreign account and I decided to write to you.

My late father was among the few black Zimbabwean 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 entire minority.Before his death he hadtaken to Johannesburg,

 South Africa to deposit the sum of US$20 MILLION (Twenty million United States Dollars) with a security and financecompany as if he foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe.

The money was deposited in a box as valuables to avoid demurrage from the security company. This money was embarked from the purchase of new machinery and chemical for farms and the establishment of new farms in Lesotho, Swaziland.

 This land problem arose when President Robert Mugabe introduced a new land act that wholly affected the rich white farmers and some few blacks vehemently condemned the "Modus Operandi"adopted by the government.

This resulted to rampant killing and mod action by the war veterans and some political thugs. Precisely, more than thirty one (31)people have so far been killed.Heads of government from west, especially Britain and United States of America have voiced their condemnation of Mugabes plan.

Subsequently, South African Development Community (SADC) has continually supported the Mugabes new land act, it is against this background that I and my family who are currently residing in South Africa have decided to transfer my fathers money into a foreign account.

As the eldest son of my father, I am saddled with the responsibility of seeking a genuine foreign account where this money could be transferred without the knowledge of my government who are tactically freezing our family wealth and South Africas government seems to be playing along with them.

 I am faced with the dilemma of investing this money in South African for fear of 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 seeking for an asylum. As a business person whom I entrusted my future and that of my family into his hands, I must let you know that this transaction is 100% risk free and the nature of your business does notnecessarily matter.

 For your assistance, we are offering you 20% of the total sum, 75% for my family and I while 5% will be mapped out for any expenses we may incur during the course of this transaction.

We wish to invest our part of the money on commercial property based on your advice. Finally, all we need from you is assurance that you will not sit on this money when it finally gets into your personal or company account in your country.

If this proposal is acceptable by you,

 please confirm your interest via the above telephone number.

                      EMAIL(zuma2@highveldmasil.co.za)

         Best regards,

        (MICHAEL SMITH).

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