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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: thabitak@mailbox.co.za
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 14:11:29 +0200
Subject: RE; LETTER

MRS.THABITA &
RICHARD KHUMALO
NO: 25 JACOB ZUMA AVENUE
PRAKTOWN, 2517
JOHANNESBURG,
TEL: +27-83-752-9233
SOUTH AFRICA.


ATTENTION,

I am Mrs.thabita khumalo, first wife of Engineer Michael
khumalo, of
Bulawayo-Zimbabwe.This is my 27 years of marriage with Mr.
Michael, where my only son and I are now resident in South
Africa as Asylum seeker (REFUGEE). I got your contact
through world journal here in South Africa. With your
contact profile ,I hope that you can take care of the
amount involved. I have some huge amount of money, which I
inherited from my late husband last month.

My husband's tragedy occurred when president Robert Mugabe
government took our farm from us and destroyed our house
because we voted against his government in our last
election. My husband was murdered and I am the only left
two wives, so I am willing to leave South Africa for any
place abroad.

My fund is presently deposited with a Security Company
without disclosing
the contents of the box to the Security Firm, and I would
like you to help me
transfer this money overseas pending investment .The amount
deposited is
US$5.5 Million (five Million five hundred thousand United
States Dollars).

In consideration of your assistance, my financial adviser
and I have agreed to offer you, upon acceptance to this
proposal 25% of the total sum and 5% has mapped out to
cover all sundry expenses both parties might incur, locally
or internationally, during the course of this transaction
and the remaining 70% will be for me and my only son for
our life investment in your country.

I will relate to you my financial advisers particulars upon
receipt of your approval for more information and fell free
to ask questions you consider relevant. The confidentiality
of this proposal will be highly appreciated. Thanks as we
await your urgent response.

Best Regards,

MRS.Thabita and Richard khumalo.

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