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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "huge amount of money" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +27837529233 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: magretmpoyo10@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 2005 14:32:35 +0200
Subject: RE; LETTER

MRS.MAGRET AND EDWARD MPOYO
NO: 25 JACOB ZUMA AVENUE
PRAKTOWN, 2517
JOHANNESBURG,
TEL: +27-83-752-9233
SOUTH AFRICA.


ATTENTION,

I am Mrs.magret mpoyo,first wife of Engineer solomon mpoyo, of
Bulawayo-Zimbabwe.This is my 27 years of marriage with Mr.solomon, 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.Magret and edward mpoyo.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam