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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: steve pedro <stevepedro_11@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:13:26 +0200
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?PLEASE_VERY_IMPORTANT.=FD?=



MR.STEVE PEDRO
ADDRESS : NO. 35 MARTIN AVENUEJOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICATEL : +27-73-36-36-291
E MAIL= stevepedro22@yahoo.co.uk
Dear Sir / Madam, You may be surprise to receive this letter from me since you don't know me personally.I am Mr.STEVE PEDRO the son of Dr JOHN PEDRO , who was recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe.I got your contact through Network on line in my search for a reliable and reputable person to handle a very confidential transaction which involves a transfer of fund to a foreign account and I decided to write you, My Late Father was among the Zimbabwean Rich Farmers
murdered in Cold Blood by the agents of the ruling government of President Robert Mugabe for his alleged support and sympathy for the Zimbabwean opposition party controlled by the white minority. Before his death he had taken to Johannesburg - South Africa to deposit the sum of US$25.5 Million (Twenty Five Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)with a Security and Finance Company as if he foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe. The money was deposite din a Box as valuables to avoid much demurrage from the Security Company. This money was embarked from the purchase of New Machinery and Chemical for Farms and the establishment of new farms in Lesotho and Swaziland. This land problem arose when President Robert Mugabe introduced a new land act that wholly affected the Rich White Farmers and some few blacks vehemently condemned the "Modus Operandi" adopted by the government.
This resulted to rampant killing and mob action by the war veterans and some political thugs Precisely, More than thirty-one (31)people have so far been killed. Heads of governments from the west,especially Britain and United States of America have voiced their condemnation of Mugabe'splan.
Subsequently, South African Development Community (S.A.D.C) has continuously supported Mugabe's new land act, it is against this background that I and my family who are currently residing in South Africa have decided to transfer my Father's money into a Foreign Account.
As the eldest son of my Father, I am saddled with the responsibility of seeking a genuine foreign account where this mone could be transferred without the knowledge of my government who are tactically freezing our family wealth and South Africa's government seems to be playing along with them. I am faced with the dilemma of investing this money in South Africa for fear of encountering the same experience in future since both countries have almost the same political history.
More so, the South African Foreign Exchange policy does not allow such investment hence we are seeking for an "ASYLUM". As a business person whom I entrusted my future and that of my family into his hands, I must let you know that this transaction is 100% risk free and the nature of your business does not necessarily matter. For you assistance, we are offering you 30% of the total sum, 60% for Me and My Family while 10% will be mapped out for any expenses we may incure during the course of this transaction. We wish to invest our part of the money on commercial property based on your advice. Finally, all we demand from you is assurance that you will not sit on this money when it finally gets to your personal or company's account in your country. If this proposal is acceptable by you, please confirm your interest via the above TEL number or E-MAIL me. Best Regards. STEVE PEDRO (For the Family). PLEASE YOU CAN READ ABOUT PROBLEMS IN ZIMBABWE FROM THE LINKS BELOW.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm
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