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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "huge amount of money" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +27739088900 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • grace_mavoyo04@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: g_proposal@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 03:22:03 +0200
Subject: FROM GRACE

MRS.GRACE MAVOYO
TEL: +27 73 908 8900
JOHANNESBURG,SOUTH AFRICA.
(HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL)

REPLY :grace_mavoyo04@yahoo.com

DEAR SIR/MADAM,

I am Mrs. GRACE MAVOYO, first wife of Engineer SOLOMON MAVOYO, of Bulawayo-Zimbabwe.
This is my 22 years of marriage with Mr. Solomon MAVOYO, where my only son and I
are now resident in South Africa as Asylum seeker (REFUGEE). I got your contact
through the net on yahoo people search. With your contact profile, I hope that you
can take care of the amount involved. I have some huge amount of money, which I
inherited from my dead husband few years ago.

My husband's tragedy occurred when the Zimbabwean government took our farm from us.
My husband was murdered in Zimbabwean and I am the only one left of the two wives,
so I am willing to leave South Africa for any place abroad.
My fund is presently deposited with a Security Company without disclosing the
contents of the box to the Security Firm, and I would like you to help me transfer
this money overseas pending investment. The amount deposited is (Eighteen Million
United States Dollars) US$18million.

In consideration of your assistance, I and my son have agreed to offer you, upon
acceptance to this proposal 30% of the total sum and 10% has mapped out to cover
all sundry expenses both parties might incure, locally or internationally, during
the course of this transaction. And the remaining 60% will be for me and my only
son for our life investment in your country under your supervision.

I will relate to you every relevant information of the fund upon receipt of your
approval for more information and fell free to ask questions you consider relevant.
The confidentiality of this proposal will be highly appreciated. Thank as we await
your urgent response.
Reply via email this email(grace_mavoyo04@yahoo.com)or call me on this number
+27 73 908 8900 and as well send me your direct telephone number so that I will
give you a call.
PLEASE READ ABOUT PROBLEMS IN ZIMBABWE FROM THE LINKS BELOW.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm

Best Regards,

Mrs. GRACE MAVOYO

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam