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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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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "is highly confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • +27735446003 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Ms. Collen Changa and Mr. Patrick Changa" <collenchanga@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:32:40 -0500
Subject: Good Day Sir/Madam

From: Ms. Collen Changa
23-30, Oxford Road,
Johannesburg South Africa
Tel: +27-73-544-6003

Good Day Sir/Madam

Don’t be surprised to receive this letter from me since you don’t  know me in  person. For the purpose of introduction I am Ms .Collen Changa from  Zimbabwe the daughter .John Changa who was murdered in the land dispute in  Zimbabwe  by the agents of the ruling government of President ROBERT MUGABE for  his alleged support and sympathy for the opposition MDC PARTY led by the
minority white farmers. My father was among the few black Zimbabwean  rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the war veterans backed by the  government. 

Before the death of my father, he went to South Africa to deposit the  sum of  US$20.M (Twenty Million United State Dollars) With one of the security company in Johannesburg South Africa, as if he knew the looming danger  in ZIMBABWE. The money was deposited as Gold and Diamond worth US$20.M to  avoid much demurrage from the security firm.

The money was earmarked for the purchase of new machinery and chemicals  for the farms and the establishment of new farms in Lesotho and Swaziland.  This Land problem arose when President Robert 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 rampart killing and Mob actions. My brother and I are staying in Johannesburg South Africa as Asylum seekers; we have decided to  transfer this money to a foreign country where we can invest it. we are  having  a problem  of investing this amount of money in South Africa  for the
fear of encountering the same experience in future since both countries have  the same political policy/law which, does not allow investment hence we are

seeking for an asylum or refugees here.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 , my brother and I  have agreed to give you 20% of the total money,75% will be for my brother  and I to invest in your country through your assistance, the remaining 5%  will be mapped out for all expenses, we might incur during the transaction .

Therefore if you are willing and interested to render the needed  assistance, endeavor to reply through my mail .I also need your private telephone  and fax numbers for easy communication. Remember that this is highly confidential and success of this business depends on how secret it is
kept.

Expecting your reply soonest.

Best regards,

Ms. Collen  Changa (For The Family).

N/B.PLEASE I WILL APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN SEND YOUR PRIVATE
TELEPHONE,MOBILE
AND FAX NUMBER TO INDICATE YOUR INTRESTING IN THIS TRANSACTION AND I AM
ALSO APPOLOGIES FOR BRINGING TO YOU THIS MASSEGE THROUGH MAIL DUE TO OUR
REFUGE STATUS HERE. PLEASE YOU CAN READ ABOUT THE PROBLEMS IN ZIMBABWE FROM
THE LINKS BELOW.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm

Please kindly assure me that you will act accordingly as I have Stated herein. Hoping to receive your reply soonest. You can also contact my brother, Mr. Patrick Changa telephone +27-73-544-6003

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam