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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:
  • "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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united states 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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "i got your email address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• 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.
  • +27736112897 (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.
  • johnson_1_mpoyo@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: johnson mpoyo <johnson9mpoyo@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <Johnson_2_Mpoyo@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:14:58 +0200
Subject: FROM PRINCE JOHNSON MPOYO



From: Johnson MpoyoJohannesburg- South Africa.Mobile:+27-736-112-897Dear Sir/Madam,REF: URGENT REQUESTMy name is PRINCE JOHNSON MPOYO (Jnr) the elder son of PRINCE DENNIS MPOYO, of the republic of Zimbabwe.

I am aware that this unexpected letter will come to you as a surprise, I Apologies for any inconvenience, but please do bear with me for I am only seeking for your help.

I got your email address from a good friend of mine who assured me of your capability in handling official matter, base on that introduction I have the same view of understanding believing that you will help me in this case but pending when I hear from you. I apologize if I have infringed in your privacy.During the current war against the farmers in Zimbabwe supported by President Robert Mugabe, in his effort to expel the white farmers of the country. He has ordered the white farmers to give their farms to his members of the party and his followers.
My father was one of the most successful farmers in our country, and had been the Minister of Finance in Robert Mugabe's administration, but he did not like the idea of dispossessing the white farmers of their land. For this, his farm was invaded and was burned by the supporters of the government.

In the course of the assault, my father was killed and the invaders made away with many articles of the farm of my father. Our family house was totally destroyed.Before the death of my father, he called me to the attention of the sum of 10, Million United States Dollars, which he had deposited with a Security Company here in South Africa, during his tenure as minister of finance.

I decided to get in touch with your company, so that you will help me in the transfer of this money from South Africa. This has become necessary after I have been denied any right to own Bank account or any other form of financial transaction here, for I am a political asylum seeker here in South Africa.We (my sister and I) proposed that you should receive 20% of the entire amount for your help in the transfer of the fund, then 75% of this money shall go to us (my sister and I), 5% remaining will be used to cover any cost or expenses incurred by the both parties in the process of this transaction.Would you immediately confirm your interest in this transaction through my Mobil line; +27-736-112-897 or reply at (Johnson_1_Mpoyo@hotmail.com), then I will give you more details as to how we shall conclude this transaction.

Incase you may have no interest in this transaction; I kindly request your utmost confidentiality and secrecy in this matter for security reasons.Thank you for your co-operation.Best regards,PRINCE JOHNSON MPOYO (Jnr).
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam