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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: "Steve Zuma" <stevezuma_005@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 08:39:13 +0200
Subject: FAMILY IN NEED OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

FROM: MR STEVE ZUMA.


GOOD DAY,
FAMILY IN NEED OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE


You may be surprised to receive this letter since you don't know me
personally. I am MR STEVE ZUMA .The first son of DR.ROBERT ZUMA, who was
recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe. I got your contact
through South Africa Information Exchange (S.A.I.E) here in Johannesburg and
I decided to write for an assistance. 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 whites.

Before his death, he had taken me to Johannesburg to deposit the sum of US$
25.5. Million (Twenty five Million Five hundred thousand United States
Dollars) with a security and finance company as if he foresaw the looming
danger in Zimbabwe. The money was deposited in a box as a consignment,
(Family Valuable)to the security company to avoid seizure, and also to avoid
much demurrage from the security company. This money was given to my Father
by president Mugabe for investment purpose while they were still in good
terms.

This land problem arose when President Robert Mugabe introduced a new land
act, which wholly affected the rich farmers, and some few blacks eventually
vehemently condemned the modus operandi adopted by the government. And that
resulted to rampant killing and mob actions by the veterans and some
political thugs, precisely, many people have been killed. Heads of
government from Western World, especially Britain and United States of
America have voiced their condemnation of Mugabe 's plan subsequently, the
South African Development Community (S.A.D.C) has continuously supported
Mugabe's new land reform act.

It is against this background that I and my families who are currently
staying in South Africa have decided to transfer my Fathers money into a
foreign account. As the first son of my late Father, I am saddled with the
responsibility of seeking a responsible person who will help us to transfer
this money without the knowledge of my government and who had tactically
freezing our family wealth and South African Government seems to be playing
alongside with them. We have decided not to invest this 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 I am an asylum seeker. I should let you know that this
transaction is 100% risk free. So, please if you accept to assist my family,
we are offering you 30% of the total sum, 60% for me and my family while 10%
will be mapped out for any expenses, we may incur during the course of this
transaction, and we are willing to accept any reasonable condition you may
deem necessary, also we can as well go into partnership business with you.
Please reply immediately to facilitate immediate action toward the
transaction.

Remember this business is highly confidential and shall be kept within you
alone.

stevezuma_005@yahoo.com

Best regards,

MR.STEVE ZUMA.


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