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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: MARK FORD <blackshell2232@aim.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:34:24 -0400
Subject: I NEED YOUR SINCERE ASSISTANCE

Dear Friend,

This letter may come as a surprise because we have not met nor had any
previous correspondences but was borne out of my sincere burning desire
to establish a business/mutual relationship with you.

I got your contact during my research and l hope I will not regret ever
approaching you because this present world is filled of dishonesty and
mistrust.My name is Mark Ford, the only son of Mr Terry Simpsom Ford
who was murdered by the agents of President Robert Mugabe due to his
opposition to the oppressive and exploitative Land reforms Act. Though,
I do not know to what extent you are familiar with events and fragile
political situation in Zimbabwe but I know it has formed consistent
head lines in the CNN, BBC news bulletins.
You can further read about the death my late father via:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/zimbabwe/article/0,2763,669960,00.html
The pressure from the government forced me and my family out of
Zimbabwe into exile in New Zealand and then down to London, United
Kingdom where we have been living under political asylum for a few
years now. Sadly, my mother died of cancer some months ago and was
buried here in London. Prior to her death, she handed me over a
certified documents meant for Deposit, which my father made with a bank
in London. The deposit, which is worth $5,500.000.00(Five Million Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars),was deposited in the bank
before the out break of war.

He deposit in his name with the hope of relocating his family to United
Kingdom, but was murdered when the conflict intensified as a result of
his opposition to the oppressive and despotic government of Robert
Mugabe. I have contacted the bank to confirm the deposit and
established an ownership link as next of kin.
With respect to the certified document handed over to me by my mother
after the death of my father and followed by her death and the
continued hostility in my country Zimbabwe, I have decided to come down
here for now and solicit for the assistance of an honest and
trustworthy person who will assist me in the business re-investment of
the said money.


I cannot do this due to my present social status as a small boy here
and my total ignorance of the business world. I cannot meet anybody
here in London to assist me get my inheritance from bank due to
dishonesty. You will be given 30% of the said money and a shares holder
base in the investment if secured. If you are honest, trustworthy,
capable of investing this sum of money, contact me to give you all the
details you need to know about this immediately. For my safety, you
must maintain absolute confidentiality to ensure success.
Please, indicate your name, personal telephone number, address and
nationality when replying this mail to my private email address at
(mark.ford12@live.com)

I will let you view my late father's account statement in the bank when
I receive your sincerely mail.
I attached my international passport and my Father's pictures, please
confirm to me if you do receive it.

Best regards and God Bless,
Mark Ford.

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