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

Fraud email example:

From: =?iso-8859-1?q?Margaret=20Mafikeng?= <mgrmfk@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: mgrmfk@netscape.net
Date: Sun, 2 Apr 2006 16:54:59 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Margaret Opportunity!


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: mgrmfk@yahoo.co.uk

Dear friend,


My name is Margaret Mafikeng the eldest daughter of Mr.John Mafikeng of Zimbabwe. It might be a surprise to you where I got your contact address but I got your contact address from the Johannesburg Chambers of Trade and Commerce. During the current crises against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters of our President Robert Mugabe to claim the farms in our country, he ordered all the farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and their followers. My father was one of the best farmers in the country and knowing that he did not support the Presidents political ideology, the Presidents supporters invaded my fathers farm burnt down everything, killed him and confiscated all his investments.


After the death of my father, my mother and I with my younger brother decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives. We took along with us the money my father kept in the safe in my mothers house, which amounted to the sum of $16.7Million (sixteen Million,Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars) to the Republic of South Africa. where we now seek political asylum. The money has been tranfered to a financial house overseas.


My Mother and I have decided to contact any reliable overseas firm who could assist us to claim this money out from the financial house because we as asylum seeker here in South Africa we are not allowed certain financial rights like operating a bank account.


We need you to open a non-resident account through which this fund will be channeled out to your nominated overseas account. If my preposition is considered, for assisting us to transfer this money to your country, we will offer you 3million dollars of the total fund, while me and my family will like to invest in your country under your guidance and assistance.


This transaction is 100% risk free.Your urgent response to my personal box will be highly appreciated. (mgrmfk@netscape.net) anxiously waiting for you reply. thank you.


Best regards,


Margaret Mafikeng.


For the family.


mgrmfk@netscape.net



- Margaret Mafikeng


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