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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.

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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)
  • "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Martine Songo" <martinesongo10@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: martinesongo22@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 12 May 2006 13:32:19 +0200
Subject: INVITATION FOR PARTNERSHIP

From Martine Songo
41,SMITH AVENUE,ROODERPORT JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICA
PHONE=27-73-05737-00


INVITATION FOR PARTNERSHIP

Dear Sir,

You may be surprised to receive this letter from me since you do not know me
personally,I am Mr. Martine Songo,the first son of Mr. Zuma Songo, who was
recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe. I was furnished with
viable information from the INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE here in Johannesburg
and decided to contact you.

Before the death of my father,he had taken me toJohannesburg to deposit the
sum of TEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS (USD10.5M) in
a security company as if he foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe. This
amount was meant for the purchase of new machines and chemicals for the
farms and establishment of a new farm in Swaziland.

This land problem came when the President of Zimbabwe MRROBERT MUGABE
introduced a new Land Act which wholly affected the rich white and black
farmers. This resulted to
the killing and mob action by the Zimbabwean war veterans and some lunatics
in the society.Infact, a lot of people have been killed because of this
land-reformed act of which my father was one of the victims.

It is against this background,that my family and I, who are currently
staying in South Africa decided to transfer my fathe's money to a foreign
account since the law of South Africa prohibits a refugee (asylum seeker) to
open any bank account or to be involved in any financial transaction.

As the eldest son of my father I am saddled with the responsibility of
seeking a genuine foreign account into which this money could be transferred
to, without the knowledge of my government who are bent on taking everything
we have got, and South Africa seems to be playing along with them.

I am faced with the dilemma of investing this amount of money in South
Africa for fear of going through the same experience in the future since
both counties have the same political history. More so, the South Africa
Foreign Exchange policy does not allow such investment as an asylum seeker.

As a businessman, I have to entrust my future and of my family in his hands,
I must let you know that this transaction is risk free. If you accept to
assist me and my family, all I want you to do is to make arrangements and
come to Johannesburg, South Africa, so that you can open a non-resident
account which will aid us in transferring the money into any account you
will nominate overseas.

This money I intend to use for investment. I have two options for you,
firstly, you can choose to have a certain percentage of the money for
nominating your account for this transaction, or you can go into partnership
with me for the proper profitable investment of the money in your
country. Whichever the options you want, feel free to notify me. Please you
are interested to assist us,reply immediately by leaving your direct phone
and fax numbers for better communication.I shall discuss with you the
percentgae that due to you for this kind assistance,Contact me with the
above phone and the email immidiate reply while I implore you to maintain
secrecy required in this transaction. And no matter the level of transaction
we are in, You must keep this business secret and confidential,Please.

God bless you for your assistance.

Thanks for your Coperation

Sincerely yours,

Mr. Martine Songo.
(For the family )

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam