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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: "monica adams" <mamaadams17@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2006 15:47:35 +0000
Subject: FROM: Mrs. Monica Adams

FROM: Mrs. Monica Adams
HOWELL CRECENT,
EXT:20 QUEENS DRIVE
JOHANNESBURG RSA.

E-MAIL: adamsign00@yahoo.com

 
 
Attn: Goodday!
 
I know you will be surprised to read from me. But please consider these letters as a request from a family in dare need of assistance. Firstly, I must introduce myself. I am Mrs. Monica Adams from Angola. The wife of Brigadier JOE ADAMS.
 
 I am presently Residing in South Africa with my son. On behalf of my Son Omar Adams, I decided to solicit for assistance to transfer the sum of US$15.8 Million (Fifteen Million Eigth Hundred United States dollar) we inherited from my late Husband into your personal/company's account. Before his death he was Brigadier in charge of Arms and Ammunition on procurement for the Angolan Army during the civil war of (JOSE EDUARDO SANTOS) and his rival (SAVIMBI) (UNITA and the MPLA), which are the two strong rivals during the war.
 
In his "WILL" he specifically drew my attention to the sum of US$15.8 Million which he deposited in a safe box in a private Security Company in Johannesburg South Africa. As a treasure box fully documented in my son's name (Omar Adams).
                                         In fact my Husband said and I quote:
                                         =====================
"My beloved wife, I wish to draw your attention to US$15.8 Million Dollars. I deposited the box containing the fund in a security company in Johannesburg, South Africa.  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 (JOSE EDUARDO SANTOS) to purchase arms in South Africa we saw this as a golden opportunity and diverted the money and divided it and I got a total sum of US$15.8 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 be grateful if you can assist us. We are now living in South Africa as political asylum seekers and the financial laws and regulations of the Republic of South Africa do not permit Asylum seekers financial rights to such a huge amount of money. In view of this I cannot invest in South Africa, hence I am prepared to offer you 25% of the total fund while 5% will be set aside for local and international expenses and 70 % 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. Which I want you to contact my son OMAR ADAMS with these email address: adamsign00@yahoo.com
 
Please send me your private Fax and Telephone number for easy and urgent matter.
Thanks and God bless as you help me
Best regards.
FROM: Mrs. Monica Adams
(On behalf of my only son)
 
 


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