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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: "FROM: MRS CELESTINA BROWN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <eric.brown1977@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 19:08:36 +0200
Subject: URGENT FAMILY HELP NEEDED

FROM: MRS CELESTINA BROWN
Johannesburg South African,
Email;eric. brown1977@gmail.com.
Tel: +27 -788 217 643
 
                  URGENT FAMILY HELP NEEDED
Good day,
Naturally, this letter will come to you as a surprise since we have not met, permit me however, I am CELESTINA BROWN wife of Zimbabwean Farmer Mr. PATRICT BROWN.I am contacting you as the need for me to have a foreign partner in your country has become necessary due to my plans to relocate and establish a private company in that region.As the present political instability in my country Zimbabwe, does not encourage financial investment, as the environment is not conducive for investment and most of all security is not insured, just as reported by international media.
 
This problem started when the Zimbabwean government under the leadership of President Robert Mugabe announced a degree on May 31st 2000 to seize more than 849 white-owned farms. So far, more than 1,400 white owned farms have been invaded and confiscated, as well as claiming the properties of the farmers.Therefore, I decided to contact you, for your assistance, so that I can establish a company in your country and relocate there with this money mine father kept for me in a security and trust company in South Africa.
 
Which amounted to US$11.5 Million, I will upon receiving this money on my behalf, pending my arrival to meet with you in your country so that we can both make further arrangements with regards to establishing the Company.As a partner you will be entitled to 25% of the total sum, and in whichever company that we both decide to establish, when I arrive your country we shall discuss that facially. You can contact my son; MR.ERIC BROWN, and email us through this Email;eric.brown1977@gmail.com
TEL; +27 788 217 643
 
I am waiting urgently for your email through this. And also view our political
website:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/594522.stm
 
 
Cheers and God bless.
Best Regards,
MRS CELESTINA BROWN
 

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