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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: "ss vv" <ssvv207@msn.com>
Reply-To: ssvv101@sify.com
Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2006 02:27:31 +0000
Subject: ACQUISITION OF ESTATE PROPERTIES.(Mrs Victoria Komo.)

Dear Friend,

ASSISTANCE REQUIRED FOR ACQUISITION OF ESTATE PROPERTIES.

I write to inform you of my desire to acquire estates or landed properties
in your country on behalf of my husband, former opposition Vice Presidential
Candidate in Zimbabwe's last general elections. Considering the strategic
and influential position he held in the opposing political party in
Zimbabwe, he would want the transaction to be as strictly confidential as
possible.He further wants his identity to remain undisclosed at least for
now, until the completion of the transaction.Hence our desire to have an
overseas Manager.

I want to inquire on behalf of my family if you would agree to act as our
overseas Manager in order to actualize this transaction.

We have heard rumours that President Robert Mugabe intends to confiscate all
properties and assets belonging to top members of the opposing political
party and try them for treason on allegations of attempting to assasinate
him.If found guilty, they will be jailed or executed; this is one of his
moves to silence the opposition and becoming a dictator.

The project in brief, is that the funds with which we intend to carry out
our proposed investments in your country, is presently in the custody of a
security Company in overseas and we need your assistance to transfer the
funds to your country in a convenient bank account that will be provided by
you before we can put the funds into use in your country. For this, you
shall be considered to be the beneficiary of the money. The total sum is
US$18 Million, of which your share shall be 20% if you agree to be our
overseas agent and the remaining 80% is for buying the properties in your
Country with your assistance.This money is part of the donations we received
from friends and from various governments that were in support of the
removal of President Robert Mugabe during the last Presidential elections in
Zimbabwe.

As soon as payment is effected, and the amount mentioned above is
successfully transferred into your account, we intend to use our own share
in acquiring some estates abroad. For this too, you shall also be our
overseas manager of all our properties and you will be paid based on a
certain percentage agreed to by both parties.

In the light of this, I would like you to forward to me the following
information:

1. Your company name(if any) and address.

2. Your personal telephone/fax number.

3. Complete Mailing Address

4.The name you want us to use as beneficiary.

As soon as I receive the above information from you,I will present it to our
family,s lawyer to raise a power of Attorney empowering you to have full
authority over the total money.

You are requested to communicate your acceptance of this proposal through my
above stated email address after which the family attorney shall discuss the
modalities of the transaction with you.

Your quick response will be highly appreciated. Thank you in anticipation of
your cooperation.

Reply to: ssvv101@sify.com

Yours faithfully,

Victoria Komo.


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