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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: "MIKE SAVIMBI" <mikesavimbif3@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 20:42:55 +0000
Subject: HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL.

FROM:  Mr. MIKE SAVIMBI,                                                         
HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL.
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA.
TEL: +27  736 674 450                           
 
 
ATTENTION: SIR / MADAM,
                                           
                                              HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL.
You may be surprise to receive this message from me since you don't know me in person, but for the purpose of introduction, I am Mr. MIKE SAVIMBI, the son of late MR JAMES SAVIMBI, who was murdered in a land dispute in ZIMBABWE. Your contact was given to me at the INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE / CHEMBER OF COMMERCE here in Johannesburg as reliable and trustworthy to deal with, then I decided to write you.
 
My late father was among the Few black Zimbabwean   rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the agent of the ruling government of president ROBERT MUGABE for his alleged support and sympathy for Zimbabwean opposition party. Before the death of my father, he took me to SOUTH AFRICA to deposit the sum of (SEVENTEEN MILLION, THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) 17.3m with a security and finance company’s if he knew the looming danger in Zimbabwe.
 
The Money was deposited as a gem or precious stone to avoid much demurrage from the security firm. This money was earmarked for the purchase of new machinery and chemicals for the farms and the Lesotho and Swaziland. This land problem arose when president R. MUGABE introduced a new land Act. Which wholly affects the white rich farmers and some few blacks vehemently condemned the,
 
MODUS OPERANDI' adopted by the government. This resulted to Rampant killing and mob actions. I and my family we are currently staying in South Africa as a refugee or an asylum seeker have decided to transfer this money to a foreign country where we can invest it. I am faced with the dilemma of investing this amount of money in South   Africa for fear of encountering the same experience in future since both countries have the same political history. Moreover, the South African monetary policy/law does not allow such investment hence I Am seeking for an asylum or refugee. I must let you know that this business is 100% risk free and the nature of your business does not necessary matter. So if you are willing to assist us,
 
I and my family have greed to give you 15% of the total money, 40% will be for a joint business venture I will be doing with you and another 40% will be for me and my family which we shall also invest in your country and the remaining 5% will be mapped out for all expenses we may Incurred during the transaction. Therefore, if you are willing and interested to render the needed assistance, endeavor to reply through my email address or the above Tel number.
 
I also need your private phone and fax number for easy communication. Remember that this is highly confidential and the success of this business depends on how secret it is kept. Expecting
 
Your reply soonest.
 
Best Regard.
 
 Mr. MIKE  SAVIMBI.
FOR THE FAMILY.


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