419 scam: "Prince Johnson & Hilda Moyo"<princejohnsonmoyo1@yahoo.cn> WE PRAY FOR YOUR QUICK REPLY

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "i got your email address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "robert mugabe" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Prince Johnson & Hilda Moyo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <princejohnsonmoyo2@yahoo.cn>
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 16:08:45 +0800
Subject: WE PRAY FOR YOUR QUICK REPLY

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: URGENT REQUEST

My name is PRINCE JOHNSON MOYO (Jnr) the elder son of PRINCE DENNIS MOYO, of the republic of Zimbabwe I'm aware that this unexpected letter will come to you as a surprise I Apologies for any inconvenience, but please do bear with me for I am Only seeking for your help. I got your email address from network Directory. I apologize if I have infringed on your privacy.
During the current war against the farmers in Zimbabwe , supported by President, Robert Mugabe in his effort to expel the white farmers of the country. He has ordered the white farmers to give their farms to his members of the party and his followers.
My father was one of the most successful farmers in our country, and had been the Minister of Finance in Robert Mugabe's administration, but he did not like the idea of dispossessing the white farmers of their land. For this, his farm was invaded and was burned by the supporters of the government. In the course of the assault, my father was killed, and the invaders made away with many articles of the farm of my father. Our family house was totally destroyed.
Before the death of my father, he called me to the attention of the sum of US$18.2 Million United States Dollars, which he had deposited with a Security Company bank here in China , during his tenure as minister of finance. I decided to get in touch with your company, so that you will help me in the transfer of this money from China. This has become necessary after I have been denied any right to own Bank account or any other form of financial transaction here, for I am a political asylum seeker here in China.
We (my sister and I) proposed that you should receive 20% of the entire amount for your help in the transfer of the fund, then 75% of this money shall go to us (my sister and I), 5% remaining will be used to cover any cost or expenses incurred by the both parties in the process of this transaction.
Incase you may have no interest in this transaction; I kindly request your utmost confidentiality and secrecy in this matter for security reasons.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Best Regards,
PRINCE JOHNSON & HILDA MOYO (Jnr).

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam