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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: Jonathan Moyo <jonathanmoyo059@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mrjonathanmoyo007@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 08:20:12 +0000
Subject: Very Urgent From Jonathan Moyo



From: Mr. Jonathan Moyo Tsvangirai
Refugee Camp, Johannesburg,
Republic of South Africa
Email: mrjonathanmoyo007@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: +27-732137930

Dear Sir/Madam,

REQUEST FOR MUTUAL ASSISTANCE

My name is Mr. Jonathan Moyo, the elder son of late Mr. James Moyo Tsvangirai a great farmer in Zimbabwe; it might be a surprise for you to receive letter and most especially where I got your contact address. I got your contact information from the global trade agent under the South African chamber of commerce and industries.

During the current crisis against the farmers in Zimbabwe by the supporters of President Robert Mugabe to claim all white owned farms in the country, he ordered all white farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and his supporters.

My farther was one of the black farmers that worked along side with the white farmers and opposed the president action towards the white farmers. Being well known for his relationship with the white farmers, the president supporters invaded my father's farm and destroyed everything. My father was at the same time killed on the process of fighting back the invaders and the president gave order to confiscate all our properties including the farmland. After this incident, my mother and I with my younger brother decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives.

When we arrive to South Africa, my mother was contacted by a family friend who now stays in South Africa because of the civil unrest in my country Zimbabwe. My mother was then informed of a certain amount of money instructed as a deposit of precious stones and personal effects with a private security and finance company amounting to US$8,400,000.00 (Eight Million Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). My mother and I have decided to transfer this sum in question to a reliable person/company overseas for investment, as we do not have intention of going back to my country Zimbabwe any more.

Due to our present status in South Africa and the nature by which we entered into south-Africa, we do not reserve the right to operate or maintain a foreign currency dominated account as refugees, which is why in the first place your assistance is solicited. As soon as you receive this urgent message, if you can, please get back to me on either of the above numbers/e-mail address for us to discuss in details the process of moving this fund out of South Africa.

This transaction is 100% risk-free to us or you.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jonathan Moyo Tsvangirai
_________________________________________________________________
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