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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Abel Tabona <tabona_jnr@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 12:26:30 +0400
Subject: Are you a kind and sincere person? Please....reply


My Dear,

My name is Abel Tabona the son of Mr. Mabeli Tabona of Zimbabwe.
This first time communication might be a surprise to you but don't be worried as I am contacting you only in good faith. Please, go through my proposal with a free mind to enable you make a good judgment of it.
During the current crisis against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters of our President, Robert Mugabe, to claim all the white owned farms in our country, he ordered all the white farmers to surrender their farm lands and ventures to his party members and their followers.

My father was one of the most successful farmers in the country at the time and so the President's supporters invaded my father's farm and burnt down everything at sight and in the process killed him and forcefully took over all his investments in the country without thinking of his children's welfare.
After the death of my father, my mother and I, with my younger sister decided to hurriedly move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives. We took along with us an envelope containing a deed of lodge and payment receipts which my late father handed over to me during the crisis, having sensed danger. It also contained the keys to the 2 safe boxes.
My late father deposited the sum of US$21.M ($21 MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) to a private security company in Johannesburg, South Africa. According to him and as manifested on the deed of lodge, he deposited the two boxes as family jewelries while in actual fact the box contained money in $100 bills, for safekeeping. If only you can earn my trust I will send you a copy of the local scan of the boxes before they were deposited by my late father.
And this is the only fixed or moveable asset left for us in my late father's will as others have been vandalized and taken over by the President's supporters on rampage. And we intend to make the best use of it to make our future bright.

Because of our present status (Political Refugees), my mother and I are seriously looking forward to having an overseas partner that will assist us with the convenience and legal transfer of the funds out of South Africa, since it is close to our own country.
If my proposition is considered, for assisting us to transfer this money to your country, we will offer you 20% of the total fund, and 5% of the total will be set aside to cover any expenses incurred during this transaction. 75% will be for my
family to invest in your country under your supervision. Preferably, an offshore account opened in your name but with double signatory.
Also, you will have to make provision for our joining you to reside in your country after receiving and banking it successfully. Please, feel free to speak your mind if the above percentage for all the troubles you may pass on our behalf isn't ideal for you. Then make your suggestions.

For detailed information, you can contact me more confidentially via tabona_jnr@excite.com . We would appreciate confidentiality and honesty in our correspondence and dealings having explained in details to you our predicaments. Your immediate response will be highly welcomed.

Best Regards,
Abel Tabona.

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