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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: "grace mayo" <mayo83002@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 17:13:52 +0200
Subject: LETTER

#35 NEWPORT ROAD,
ROSEBANK,JOHANNESBURG,
SOUTH AFRICA.
Dear Sir/Madam,

With due respect, trust and humility, I write to you irrespective of the
fact that you do not know me, but please do consider this letter as a
request from a widow and family in dare need of assistance. I am Mrs. Grace
Mazwai Mayo, the widow of late Sir Jonathan G Mayo, the renowned Zimbabwean
Wine and Cattle Ranch farmer and owner of MAYO FARMS in Zimbabwe. In our
search for a trustworthy individual or companies to work with us on this
very important and confidential project, I am writing because is an
opportunity that will be of immense benefit to both of us.

During the war waged against the farmers in Zimbabwe by the supporters and
cohorts of President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white owned farms in our
country, my late husband belonged to one of the classes of farmers targeted
by the ZANU-PF armed group, because he did not support their ideas and
policies. In the course of the revolution in the country, the ZANU-PF armed
group attacked and invaded my husband's farms, burning, destroying and
eventually killing him. After my husband's death last year, I managed to
escape the boundaries of Zimbabwe into neighboring South Africa with my only
surviving son and daughter , because our lives were threatened and Zimbabwe
was no longer safe for us. We escaped safely into South Africa with my
husband's lifetime fortune of US$12.3M(Twelve Million Three Hundred thousand
US dollars) cash, important documents of property title and other
valuables, which were concealed and secured in treasure box, and transported
to Johannesburg through diplomatic means. The consignment box is currently
safely lodged and secured in the vaults of a reputable security and
brokerage firm here in Johannesburg.

Presently, I am residing temporarily with my children in Johannesburg, as
political asylum seekers, and in recognition of your personal executive
powers and investment opportunities that abound in your country; I solicit
for your assistance in moving my family money into your bank account for
safekeeping pending our future arrival in your country for investments. We
shall require your presence here in South Africa, as soon as possible to
assist us in the transfer of our money to your account. The family has
resolved to compensate you adequately by offering a brokerage commission of
20% of the money for your assistance. I have in mind to establish a good
business and friendly relationship with you in the nearest future if you are
able to assist us. Please let me receive your approval or reply through my
son, Patrick K Mayo, Jr.on TEL: +27-73-903-0579 or you can reply to any of
this mail: gracemayo2005@pnetmail.co.za,
patrickmayo@pnetmail.co.za.

YOU CAN READ MORE ON VISTING THIS SITE:
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


If you are unable to assist, please be kind to notify me so that I can look
for a suitable alternative. Please accept my warm compliments, as I
earnestly await your response.

Respectfully,
GRACE MAZWAI MAYO, (MRS)

_________________________________________________________________
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