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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: "miriam marks" <miriam_m60@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2006 13:57:09 +0200
Subject: PERSONAL

FROM : MIRIAM MARKS
102, PRETORIA ROAD
SANDTON, JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICA

PHONE : +27-78-116-1339

EMAIL : miriam_marks03@yahoo.co.in

ATTN : CEO/DIRECTOR.

I know this letter will come to you as a surprise since we have no previous
contacts. Moreover, the present world is full of dishonest and distrust.
Before I proceed, may I introduce myself, I am Mrs. Miriam Marks a
Zimbabwean and wife of slain Zimbabwean farmer Mr. Samuel Marks (late). In
April 2003 some veteran soldiers assassinated him following an attack in our
farm house in Zimbabwe. Right now the government of Robert Mugabe has
ordered us to vacate our farm lands for black occupation and even many
farmers has either been killed or jailed following the expiration of
president Mugabe’s evacuation mandate. As for me and my only child (Spiff
Mark JNR)

We auctioned all our properties and valuables, which includes all our farms
and other farm machinery immediately after my husband’s death and realized a
total sum of US$28Million. Since the Zimbabwe government want all white
farmers out of Zimbabwe or face various types of charges in court or even
risk being killed by the veteran soldiers loyal to president Mugabe.
Moderate blacks who work with white farmers and opposed to Mugabe’s policies
are also affected. I decided moving with my son to a neighboring country
Republic of South Africa where we are presently refugees seeking for asylum.
Since the South Africa monetary law forbids refugees to operate bank account
or invest in any business, we made contact with a renowned South Africa
Attorney and
after much deliberation on our condition, he advised that we deposit the
money with a security company here in South Africa which we did, although
the content of the one box deposited with the security company was not

disclosed as I told them it contains jewelleries and valuable documents.
The fund is now with the security company, pending when I see a trusted
person who can assist us in investing it religiously anywhere overseas.
Meanwhile, we agree that 25% of this money will be for your assistance as a
foreign partner where I can also settle down with my only child ( Spiff
Marks JNR) and start a new life.

This made me to go in desperate search, which lead to my getting your
contact. If you agree to assist me in this risk free transaction, a
reasonable percentage as stated above will be giving to you for your
assistance/help, while 50% of the annual income of any good business you
introduce me into will also be yours.
Do contact me through my e-mail address. Awaiting your urgent response and
looking forward to having a very good business relationship with you in the
nearest future.

As soon as you receive this letter, you should contact me immediately
through the above stated telephone number and indicate you direct
confidential telephone and fax numbers for effective communication required.
This will work out as soon as you reply. Trusting to hear from you
immediately.

Yours faithfully,

MRS MIRIAM MARKS/SPIFF MARKS JNR .

_________________________________________________________________
See their smiles, hear their laughter with MSN Messenger!
http://messenger.msn.co.za/

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