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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.Monica Dawood" <dawoodfamilyinneed001@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mrs.Monica Dawood" <DAWOODFAMILYINNEED@GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2014 05:34:52 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Sir Please,Help My Family Receive This Fund In Your Country!!!


Dear Sir, Compliment of the day toyou, I am sorry if I have to indulge your attention. My name is Mrs. MonicaDawood from the republic of Zimbabwe, the Wife of Mr. Christopher Dawood, thewar against the farmers in Zimbabwe, from the support of President, RobertMugabe, in his effort to chase the white farmers out of the country, He orderedall the white farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and hisfollowers. 
My husband was one ofthe biggest and successful farmers in Zimbabwe then, and formerly the financeminister of Robert Mugabe's administration, but he did not support the idea ofdispossessing the white farmers of their land even some of the things in ourcountry today this are the people who helped us. In the course of this myHusband was arrested and the invaders made away with a lot of items from myHusband farm. In which I almost passed away after a heart attack. 
Before my Husbandsarrest, he drew my attention to the sum of (US $23. Million United StatesDollars) which he had deposited with a security company in South Africaduring his tenure as the Finance minister of Zimbabwe. I and my children havedecided to move to South Africa for our own security, for our lives have alsobeen in danger. The contents of the consignment were stored as importantpersonal valuable by my husband using his diplomatic immunity then. 
I have decided tocontact you to assist me in moving the money out of South Africa. This becamenecessary after we were denied any right to run bank accounts or any other formof financial transaction for we are political asylum seekers in South Africa.We propose that youshall receive30%of the entire amount for your assistance in moving themoney out.65%of this money goes to us, the family. The remaining5%shallbe used to cover all expenses incurred in the cause of the transaction. I wantimmediate confirmation of your interest please Do respond to my E-mails: (dawoodfamilyinneed@gmail.com) As soon as I get yourrespond I shall give out more details on how we shall proceed. Note that thistransaction is 100% risk free. Contact me as soon as you receive this mail toconfirm the receipt of it and for more directives on the way forward to thesmooth transfer of the money out of South Africa to your nominated bank accountin your country after which we can come over and start a profitable business.Your personal contact details will be required for easier communications. For security reasons andfor the smooth success of this transaction.My husband has been placedunder house arrest for a very long time. Please i  await your prompt reply through my personalemail above .Thanks for your anticipated co-operation and may God bless you. Best regards, Mrs. Monica Dawood.

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