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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Peter Williams" <zawilliams@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 09:24:59 +0200
Subject: PLEASE HELP MY FAMILY

Peter Williams

46b SMITH ST JOHANNESBURG

EMAIL: zawilliam_son@yahoo.com

HUMBLE ASSISTANCE



Dear Sir/Madam



Good day to you and may the special grace of God dwell in your home
Amen.
I am Peter Williams , 25years old and the only son of my late parents
Mr. and Mrs. Williams. My father was a highly reputable business magnet- (a
cocoa merchant) who operated in the capital of Ivory Coast during his days.
It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of
his business trips abroad year 12th.Febuary 2002.Though his sudden death was
linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who
traveled with him at that time. But God knows the truth!
My mother died when I was just 4 years old, and since then my father
took me so special. Before his death on February 12, 2002 he called his
secretary who accompanied him to the hospital and handed her the a key to
his safe which she must hand over to me. On opening the safe I found a
document stating that he had a sum of 26,000,000 US DOLLARS (TWENTY SIX
MILLION USA DOLLARS) Secured in a local Bank here in SOUTH AFRICA.
Following the advice of his South African lawyer’s, I came over to
South Africa and I decided to seek for a foreign partner in a country of my
choice where that will be suitable enough for investment. I am interested in
investing this money in your country, as long as you can help me to
negotiate for a viable business investment that can recycle the money with
good interest within a short duration. I am just 25 years old boy and a
university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. Now I want an
account overseas where I can transfer this fund. This is because I have
suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis in my
country (Ivory coast).
I came to South Africa to seek asylum so that I can use that
opportunity to withdraw the fund and start a new investment while I continue
my studies in one of the Universities but unfortunately the law governing
asylum seekers does not permit me to study or get involved in any form of
business activity or investment, not even to operate a bank account. My life
in my country in those days was like that of a prince but now I am like a
millionaire without penny. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to
my life.
Dearest one, I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this
regard. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.

Now permit me to ask these few questions:-
1. Can you honestly help me as your son?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question
will be good for you after the money is in your account?
Please, Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible,

Thank you so much.

My sincere regards,

Peter Williams



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