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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "michael margai" <michaelmargai_00@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 11:10:41 +0200
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

FROM:MICHAEL MARGAI
17 Jeppe Street Johannesburg,
South-Africa
TEL:-27-83-431-81-83


URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
ATTN:PRESIDENTS/C.E.O

I do recognize the surprise this urgent and confidential letter will brin=
g=20
to you especially as it came from a stranger, but rest assured that it ca=
me=20
with best of intentions. First. I must introduce myself. I am Michael Mar=
gai=20
=66rom the diamond-rich district of Sierra Leone and my father was the fo=
rmer=20
Special adviser to the ousted Head of State of Sierra Leone, Major Johnny=
=20
Paul Koroma. I got your address and other details from the International=20
Chamber of Commerce here in South Africa.

During the war between our forces led by the Ex-Head of State, Major John=
ny=20
Koroma and the west African Allied Forces(ECOMOG), my country relied heav=
ily=20
on foreign earnings generated from diamond trade. This money was personal=
ly=20
kept by the then President, Major Johnny Paul Koroma since our banking=20
system had collapsed during the war. However, as the war progressed, it=20
became apparent that we were going to loose the war to the superior and=20
better armed West African Allied Forces(ECOMOG).
At this point, the key officers of the administration started making fran=
tic=20
efforts on how to leave Sierra Leone safely thereby sharing the=20
proceeds/money from this diamond trade. In view of the fact that my fath=
er=20
was one of the key officers of then administration and an In-law to Major=
=20
Paul Koroma, he succeeded in getting the sum of US$13.2 Million (Thirtee=
n=20
Million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

We made arrangement and transferred the money through diplomatic means to=
=20
South Africa, where I am presently living in exile as an asylum seeker bu=
t=20
unfortunately, my father died of heart attack after a few months of exile=
in=20
South Africa and automatically, I came in total control of the said money=
as=20
the only surviving son. Upon our arrival in South Africa after due=20
consideration, we deposited the money with a Security Company for securit=
y=20
reasons. The actual content was not disclosed to them (Security Company)=20
pending when we see a trust worthy person who will assist us in transferr=
ing=20
this money to his/her account outside South Africa, as the strict Monetar=
y=20
laws here do not allow asylum seekers certain financial rights.

I shall be most grateful if you can assist me accomplish this transaction=
=20
and hoping too that you will remain trustworthy. For your efforts and=20
assistance, I have agreed to give you 25% of the total sum while 5% will =
be=20
set aside for all the expenses incurred in the course of this transaction=
.=20
The rest of the 70% will be for my family investment in your country.=20
Please, note that I have made arrangements for a successful deal. As such=
,=20
the only thing I ask from you is total assistance to transfer this money,=
=20
complete trust and assurance that my own part of the money will be safe w=
hen=20
transferred to your account. I would also wish you kept this proposal hig=
hly=20
confidential and secret considering my father=92s position before his dea=
th=20
and the source of the money.

If you are interested in assisting me, Please contact me through the abov=
e=20
addresses so that I can breif you more on what to do as soon as possible.=
=20
Thanking you in advance for your anticipated co-operation.

Yours faithfully,
Michael Margai

_________________________________________________________________
Fast. Simple. Personal. Visit the all-new MSN South Africa.=20
http://za.msn.com/

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam