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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +27836913106 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • donatus_3@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: donatus mpoyo <yesdonatus10@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <donatus_3@myway.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2007 19:05:55 +0200
Subject: URGENT FAMILY ASSISTANCE





From: Mrs. Lilian mpoyo
Donatus Mpoyo (Son)
Email: donatus_3@myway.com
Phone: +27-83-691-3106
No, 34 Asylum Road Johanessburg
South Africa.

Dear Sir/Madam,

URGENT FAMILY ASSISTANCE:

With due respect, trust and humility, I write to you this proposal, which I believe would be of great interest to you. I found your contact while I was doing a private research in the Internet for a reliable and capable foreign partner that will assist my family and I to transfer fund to any personal or private account and for investment purpose. I am Mrs. Lilian Mpoyo, the wife of Late Mr. Hummel Mpoyo, who was the "Chairman" of the farmer’s co-operation in Zimbabwe . My Husband was among the few blacks that were murdered in cold blood by the President Robert Mugabe Administration during the land dispute that just happened in Zimbabwe . After the death of my Husband, we decided to move out of Zimbabwe because our lives were in danger because of the money that my Husband kept in his hidden safe in our house. The amount contained in the safe is (US$9.5 MILLION) Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollar.
This money was meant for the purchase of a new machines and chemicals for the farms and establishment of new farms in Swaziland . Before his death, He was a Major Share Holder of companies in Zimbabwe . After my Husband died, we moved to South Africa and deposited this money in a security company in a box as valuables belonging to our foreign partner pending when we see somebody that will assist us transfer this fund to any oversea account and for the safety of our family. We are presently in South Africa as Refugee (Asylum Seekers) and as such, the law of South Africa does not permit us to operate or open any bank account here in South Africa or to be involved in any financial transaction with the bank. That is why we contacted you to assist us in this transaction. We are ready to compensate you with 25% of the total fund for your assistance. Contact my son Mr. Bassy Gambo on the above email address or telephone number indicating your interest to assist us. On receiving your acceptance, I shall be glad to give you more clarification on the modalities needed for smooth successful completion of this transaction.

Attached to this mail is my husband’s company in Zimbabwe
I anticipate your quick response.

Best regard.
Mrs.Lilian Mpoyo
(For The Family)
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam