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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: "John Zuma" <john_zu4ma@yahoo.ca> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 13:57:31 +0400
Subject: Need your help in tihs transaction


DEAR.
I know you will be surprised to read from me. But
please consider this letter as a request from a family
in dare need of assistance. Firstly , I must introduce
myself. I am Mr. john ZUMA from Angola. I am the
first and the only son of Brigadier JOE ZUMA. I am
presently residing in Dubai (United Arabi Emirates).
On behalf of my widowed mother Mrs. Gloria Zuma, I
decided to solicit for assistance to transfer the sum
of US$18 Million ( Eighteen Million United States
Dollars) inherited from my late father into your
personal/company's account. Before his death he was
brigadier in change of arms and ammunition procurement
for the Angolan Army. In his "WILL" he specifically
drew my attention to the sum of US$18 Million which he
deposited in a safe box in a private Security Company
in Dubai here in my name(MR john ZUMA)As a treasure
box fully documented in my name.
In fact my father said and I quote:
"my beloved son, I wish to draw your attention to
US$18 Million ( Eighteen Million U.S. Dollars). I
deposited the box containing the fund in a security
company in Dubai. during the war I was very dedicated
and committed to winning the war against rebels until
I found out that senior army official and Government
functionaries were busy helping themselves with
Government funds and properties and sending them to
foreign countries. Due to this when the former special
adviser to the president and I were assigned by the
president ( EDUADO SANTOS) to purchase arms, we saw
this as a golden opportunity and diverted the money
and divided it and I got a total sum of US$18 Million.
In case of my absence on earth as a result of death
only, you should solicit for the fund investment
purposes".
From the above, you will understand that lives and
future of my family depends on this money as such I
will be grateful if you can assist us. I am now living
in Dubai while my mother and others are there in my
home country Angola.
You know that Dubai Govt does not give foreigners
resident permit so I am stranded this is the reason I
contacted you so that you will come over to Dubai For
us to meet and get the consignment box out from the
security company and get the fund transfer to your
country where I will make good use of the fund.
In view of this I cannot invest in Dubai, hence I am
prepared to offer you 30% of the total fund while 10%
will be set aside for local and international expenses
and 60% will be for my family and me .
Finally, modalities on how the transfer will be done
will be conveyed to you once we have established trust
and confidence between ourselves. Please treat this
matter as very urgent and contact me through this mail
address.
However, I need your private mobile number so that I
can call you and give you mine for easy communication.

May our almighty God bless you and your family Amen.
Thanks
JOHN ZUMA.

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