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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: "paul zende" <paulzende@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: paulzende@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2006 19:09:59 -0800
Subject: urgent business proposal.


Mr.Prince eric uba

paul_zende@hotmail.com


Tele;27 83 6749181



ATTN: DIRECTOR/CEO

URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL

I do recognize the surprise this urgent but confidential letter will bring
to you especially as it came from a stranger of whom you do not know before
now, but be rest assured that it came with the best of intentions.

First, I must introduce myself. I am Mr.Paul Zende from the Diamond-rich
district of Sierra Leone and my father was the former Special adviser to the
ousted Head of State of Sierra Leone, Major Johnny Paul Koroma. I got your
address and other details from a business directory.

During the war between our forces led by the Ex-Head of State, Major Johnny
Koroma and the West African Allied Forces (ECOMOG), my country relied
heavily on the foreign earnings generated from diamond trade and the money
generated was personally kept by the then President, Major Johnny Paul
Koroma because of the collapsed of our banking system during the war.

However, as the war progressed. It became apparent that we were going to
loose the war to the superior and better Armed West African Allied Forces
(ECOMOG).

At this point, the key officers of the administration my late father served
started making frantic efforts on how to leave Sierra Leone safely thereby
sharing the proceeds from this diamond trade.

In view of the act that my father was one of the key officers of the then
administration, he succeeded in getting the sum of US$ 25,500,000 Million
(Twenty Five Million, five hundred thousand United States Dollars).

Prior to our arrival in South Africa, my father made arrangement and
transferred this money through diplomatic means to South Africa, where I am
presently living in exile as an asylum seeker but unfortunately, my father
died of heart attack after few months of exile in South Africa.

But before his death, he had drawn the attention of my mother and I, toward
the said money and its place of deposit. As he dies, his death gave me
ownership according to the agreement of deposit as the next of kin and based
on this privilege, I came in total control of this said money as the only
surviving son of my parent.

Now, I am looking for trust-worthy person who can assist me in transferring
this money to his account out side South Africa. Because, strict Monetary
Laws forbids asylum seekers certain financial rights. I shall be most
grateful if you can assist me to accomplish this transaction while hoping
that you will remain trustworthy.

For your efforts and assistance, I will give you 20% of the total sum while
5% will be set aside for any expenses incurred in the course of this
transaction. The rest of the 75% will be for my investment in your country.

Please, note that I have made enquiries, arrangements, for a successful
transfers. As such, the only thing I am asking from you is total assistance
to transfer this money.

Complete trust and assurance that my own part of this money will be safe
when transferred to your account. I also wish that you keep this proposal
highly confidential and secret considering my father’s position before his
death and the source of the money.

If you are interested in assisting me, please contact me through the above
email address as soon as possible.

Thanking you in advance for your anticipated co-operation.

Yours faithfully,

Paul Zende(MR) confidential

_________________________________________________________________
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