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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.

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

Fraud email example:

From: Christopher Lumka <chrislumka3@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:51:44 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: MUTUAL BUSINESS COLLABORATION.


From:Mr. Christopher Lumka
Johannesburg,
Republic Of South Africa.
Phone:+27-73-960-4135Email:chrislumka3@yahoo.com    
Attn:Sir,
                                                           MUTUAL BUSINESS COLLABORATION. You may be surprised to receive this mail from me since you do not know me personally. I am Mr. Christopher Lumka the first son of Mr. Joseph Lumka who was murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe. I got your contact through network online hence I decided to write you, to seek for your co-operation, assistance and understanding. Before the death of my father, he had taken me to Johannesburg to deposit the sum of US$18.5M (Eighteen Million five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), in one of the private security company, as if he foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe. This money was concealed in a box but described to the security company as family valuables for economic and security reasons. This amount was meant for the purchase of new machines and chemicals for the farms and establishment of new farm in Swaziland. This land problem came when Zimbabwean President Mr. Robert Mugabe introduced a new Land Act reform which wholly affected the rich white farmers and some few black farmers. And this resulted to the killing and mob action by Zimbabwean war veterans and some political tugs belonging to the president's party. In fact, lot of people were killed because of this land reformed Act for which my father was one of the victims. It is against this background that, I and my family who are currently staying in South Africa decided to transfer my father's money to a foreign account since the law of South Africa prohibits a refugee (asylum seeker) to open any bank account or to be involved in any financial transaction. As the eldest son of my father, I am saddle with the responsibility of seeking for a genuine foreign account where this money could be lodged/ transferred without the knowledge of my government who are bent on taking everything we have got. The South African government seems to be playing along with them. I am faced with the dilemma of investing this amount of money in South Africa for fear of going through the same experience in future since both countries have similar political history. Moreover, the South African Foreign Exchange Policy does not allow such investments for political refugees. I am entrusting my future and that of my family in your hands, I must let you know that this transaction is risk free.  We intend to use this money for investment in your country. We have two options for you; firstly you can choose to have a certain percentage of the money for nominating your account for this transaction. Or you can go into a partnership with us for proper profitable investment of the money in your country according to your directives. Whichever of the options you want feel free to notify me? We have also mapped out 5% of this money for all kinds of expenses we might incur in the process of this transaction. If you do not prefer partnership I am willing to give you 15% of the money while the remaining 80% will be for my family's investment in your country. Contact me on my Telephone number +27-73-960-4135 or my private mail box chrislumka1@gmail.com .while I implore you to maintain the absolute secrecy required in this transaction. Best regards while looking forward to receiving your reply as soon as you receive this letter. Yours Faithfully,  Mr. Christopher Lumka.
(For the Family)

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