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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:

• 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:
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +27737286010 (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.
  • makoni4president@aol.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: makoni4president@aol.co.uk
Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:08:25 +0200
Subject: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7228205.stm

Mrs. Maria Makoni
Wife of Mr.Simba Makoni (Presidential Candidate in Zimbabwean Elections)
Reply To : makoni4president@aol.co.uk

Thank You for your attention, my name is Mrs. Maria Makoni, my Husband Simba is contesting the Zimbabwean Presidential Elections with the Dictator, Robert Mugabe. You can read my Husband's profile on the Following Internet Webpages;


http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4241984
http://www.talkzimbabwe.com/news/117/ARTICLE/1539/2008-02-05.html

I have my Husband's permission to contact you to assist my family realize his ambitions of being elected as the leader of Zimbabwe and assisting and helping the people of my country who have been in Economic, emotional, psychological and physical bondage for 10 years.

In 2005,My Husband ,in anticipation of his ambition, managed to move out a Large Sum of Money in United States Currency via a Holden Agency in Europe, through his Friend and Avisor,Late Mr.Tandawei who has passed away. According to my Husband, the deposit was not made in his name but in the name of a company that was registered by him and leaving room for another partner with 82% controlling shares in the business, so that no one can claim that he was the owner of the money.

Presently, My Husband cannot Travel out of Zimbabwe as he is being closely watched and monitored and the Holding Agency where the Deposit of this Money is kept is about to be liquidated due to the Passing away of its owner and it is required that the Deposit be retrieved immediately from the Vault of the Company as the contents are unknown to the Officials.

I Have Contacted you because none of my Family can travel out to claim this Deposit back and the only option is to seek your support and assistance to act as the Shareholder and proceed to Europe to represent him in the handing over of the Deposit. All Modalities and arrangements have been made only awaiting your interest because the intention is to retrieve the deposit from the Holding Agency, open an Account in the Country and then have the Money Deposited into the Account.

You will be required to Travel for only 3 days to conclude this matter and all information being passed on to you is highly confidential because my husband cannot trust anybody in Africa with this information because of his position and due to his desire to deal with a complete stranger with whom Trust can then be built with Honesty, sincerity and in good faith.

If you decide to assist us, you will be required to discuss with my Son whose name is Takura Makoni and who is presently in South-Africa on Tel:+27 73 728 6010 to open discussions with you if you signify your interest in assisting us. A Percentage will be set aside for your assistance and the rest will be utilized for his Presidential Campaign activities. My Husband is a Very Popular man and is favored to make an impact in the Elections and there will be an opportunity to meet with him after you have successfully secured the release of the much needed funds from the Holding Agency in Europe.

I Will Inform you of the Sum of Money involved as well as your percentage for your confidential assistance. Please contact my Son, Takura on Telephone Number Tel:+27 73 728 6010 or send a Confirmation Email to makoni4president@aol.co.uk

Yours In Trust

Mrs. Maria Makoni.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam