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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• 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 - that's what the scam is about)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "million us 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)
  • "is highly confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a "Zimbabwe" scam.
• 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.
  • +6695042392 (Thailand, probably a mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • infojimwilliams2006@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: jimshobor@sanook.com
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 17:46:42 +0700
Subject: For your consideration

DEAR SIR/MADAM,
TEL: +66-95042392

E-Mail: infojimwilliams2006@yahoo.com

You may be surprised to receive this message from me since you don't know me in person, but for the purpose of introduction, I am MR. JIM WILLIAMS, a citizen of Zimbabwe, the son of late MR. IDIOMA WILLIAMS who was murdered in a land dispute in ZIMBABWE.

I got your contact through the Thailand Information Exchange Online, and then I decided to write you. My late father was among the few black Zimbabwean rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the agent of the ruling government of President ROBERT MUGABE for his alleged support and sympathy for Zimbabwean opposition party.

Before the death of my father, he deposited the sum of Ten Million US Dollars ($10M) with a security company during when he went to Thailand to purchase his farm machinery equipment, as if he foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe. The money was deposited as a gem / precious stone to avoid seize and much demurrage from the security organization.

This money was earmarked for the purchase of new machinery and chemicals for the farms and the establishment of new farms in Lesotho and Swaziland.
This land problem arose when President R. MUGABE introduced a new land Act, which wholly affects the white rich farmers and some few blacks vehemently condemned the 'MODUS OPERANDI' adopted by the government.

This resulted to rampant killing and mob actions. I and my family who are currently staying in Bangkok Thailand as a refugee asylum seeker, I have decided to transfer this money to a foreign country where we can invest it. You will read more story about President Mugabe's brutal acts by visiting. This website: http://www.rte.ie/news/2000/0418/zimbabwe.html

I am faced with the dilemma of investing this amount of money in Thailand but the financial law and Regulations of the Republic of Bangkok, Thailand do not permit us financial rights to such huge sum of money. In view of this, I cannot invest the fund in Bangkok, Thailand. Moreover, the Thailand monetary policy/law does not allow such investment by an asylum seeker or refugee.

I must let you know that this transaction is 100% risk free and the nature of your business does not necessarily matter. So if you are willing to assist
us, I and my family have agreed to give you 20% of the total money, 40% will be for a joint business venture I will be doing with you and another 40% will be for I and my family shall also invest in your country.

Therefore, if you are willing and interested to render the needed assistance, endeavor to contact me through the above telephone or email address. I also need your private telephone and fax numbers for quick communication. Remember that this transaction is highly confidential. Expect your reply soonest.

Best regards.

MR. JIM WILLIAMS.
TEL: +66-95042392
E-Mail: infojimwilliams2006@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam