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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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Fraud email example:

From: "maxwell khumalo" <maxwellkhumalo20@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 01 Jul 2005 16:58:59 +0200
Subject: GOOD DAY!!!!

FROM: MAXWELL KHUMALO.
TEL:+27-83 360 4199.
EMAIL:maxwellkhumalo20@hotmail.com


GOOD DAY!!!

With due respect, trust and humility, I use this medium to write this letter
to you irrespective of the fact that you do not know me, but please do
consider this letter as a request from a family in dare need of assistance.

Let me formally introduce myself. I am MAXWELL KHUMALO, the son of
LATE.DR.GOODWILL KHUMALO, the renowned Zimbabwean Wine and Cattle Ranch
farmer. I got your contact courtesy of a business journal from the South
African Information Exchange in my earnest search for a reliable and
trustworthy individual/company who can assist me in this business.

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 father belonged to one of the classes of farmers targeted
by the ZANU-PF armed group, 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 father’s farms burning, destroying and
eventually killing him. After my father’s death last year, I managed to
escape the boundaries of Zimbabwe into South Africa with my mother, because
our lives were threatened and Zimbabwe was no longer safe for us. We escaped
safely into South Africa with my father’s lifetime fortune of US$25 (TWENTY
FIVE MILLION USDollars) cash, bonds, important documents of property title
and other valuables, which he instructed I his son on before his death. The
money and valuables were concealed and secured in one big treasure box, and
were transported to Johannesburg through diplomatic means. The box are
currently safely secured in the vaults of a private security and brokerage
firm here in Johannesburg.

Presently, I am residing temporarily with my mother in Johannesburg pending
the outcome of an appeal filed on my behalf by my attorney for the
Department of Home Affairs to grant us political asylum. At the moment, I am
in a dilemma on how to move this money safely out of South Africa for
investments. Moreover ,due to South Africa’s government’s stringent monetary
policies/regulations and 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.
In recognition of your personal executive powers and investment
opportunities that abound in your country, I solicit for your assistance in
moving this money into your bank account for safekeeping pending our future
arrival for investments.

My mother and I have resolved to compensate you adequately by offering a
brokerage commission of 20% of the money. We have also earmarked 5% for
pre-transfer expenses we may incur in the course of the transaction and
guarantee that any other expenses during the transaction are subject to
refund.

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 this my email address above or phone
number above and feel free to ask any questions you may consider relevant
and kindly, send your phone and fax number for easier communication .

If you are unable to assist please be kind to notify me so that I can look
for a suitable alternative. Please accept my warm compliments, as I
earnestly await for your urgent response.

Best regard,
MR.MAXWELL KHUMALO

THIS IS MY ALTERNATIVE EMAIL ADDRESS(maxwellkhumalo30@hotmail.com) YOU CAN
CONTACT ME WITH IT.THANKS.


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