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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: "MRS. TINKS ZIETSMAN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tinkszietsman44@superposta.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2012 16:48:05 -0500
Subject: Very Urgent Attention Please

DEAR SIR/MADAM,

E-MAIL:(tinkszietsman44@superposta.com)
With due respect, trust and humility, I write to you irrespective of the fact that

you do not know me, but please do consider this letter as a request from a widow

and family in dire need of assistance at a very critical time.

I am Mrs. TINKS ZIETSMAN, the widow of late Sir COLIN ZIETSMAN, the former member

of the Zimbabwean Commercial Farmers Union who was murdered in cold bold by black

revolutionists last year in my presence. I was also mercilessly beaten and left to

die but was lucky enough to be rushed to the hospital by some good Samaritans. You

can read up the news of what happened to us in this

site(http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/zimbabwe/8940-zimbabwe-white-farmer-murdered.ht

ml ) I got your contact courtesy of a business journal from the South African

Information Exchange in my earnest search for a reliable, kind hearted, God fearing

and trustworthy individual or company who can assist my family at this time of

need.

During the war waged against the farmers in Zimbabwe by the supporters and cohorts

of President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white owned farms in our country, my

late husband belonged to one of the classes of farmers targeted by the ZANU-PF

armed group and war veterans, because he did not support their ideas and policies.

In the course of the revolution in the country, the ZANU-PF armed group attacked

and invaded my husband's farms, burning, destroying and eventually killing him

after harassing and beaten me up mercilessly!! . After my husband's death, We

escaped safely into South Africa with my husband's lifetime fortune of US$3.5M

(Three Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) cash, important

documents of property title and

other valuables, which were concealed and secured in two treasure boxes, and

transported to Canada and Europe through diplomatic means. The consignment boxes

are currently safely lodged and secured into the vaults of the two reputable

security and brokerage firms in Canada and Europe.

Presently, I am residing temporarily with my sons in Johannesburg as political

asylum seekers. At the moment, I am in a dilemma on how to move this money safely

out from the two security companies for investments overseas, because South

Africa's government’s stringent monetary policies/regulations. More so, owing to

the sensitive and volatile political status of the region, it would be most

dangerous to attempt investments here as such act could jeopardize our chances.

I hereby solicit for your assistance in safely moving these funds into your bank

account for safekeeping pending our future arrival in your country for investments.

The family has resolved to compensate you adequately by offering a brokerage

commission of 30% of the money for your assistance. I have in mind to establish a

good business and friendly relationship with you in the nearest future if you are

able to assist us. Please, let me receive your approval or reply through my son’s

Email(tinkszietsman44@superposta.com)and if you are unable to assist please be kind

to notify me so that I can look for a suitable alternative.
I earnestly await your positive response.

Respectfully,

MRS. TINKS ZIETSMAN.

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