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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
• This email message is a orphan scam.
• 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.
  • author_family@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: authorfamily@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 01 Dec 2006 08:40:16 -0800
Subject: PARTNERSHIP/INVESTMENT



Dear Sir/Madam,



INVITATION FOR PARTNERSHIP/INVESTMENT


With due respect, trust and humility, I write to you this proposal,
which I believe would be of great interest to you. I am looking for a
reliable and capable foreign partner that will assist my family and I to
transfer fund to his/her personal or private account oversea and for
investment purposes. Am Mr. AUTHOR GEZI the son of Late Dr.JOMO GEZI, who
was the "Chairman" of the farmer's co-operation in Zimbabwe.

My Father was among the few blacks that were murdered in cold blood by
the President Robert Mugabe Administration during the land dispute that
just happened in Zimbabwe.

After the death of my Father, we decided to move out of ZIMBABWE
because our lives were in danger because of the money that my father kept in
his hidden safe in our house. The amount contained in the safe is
US$15.5 Million Dollars (FIFTEEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES
DOLLARS).

This money was meant for the purchase of new machines and chemicals for
the farms and establishment of new farms in Swaziland. We moved to
South Africa and deposited this money in a security company in a box as
valuables belonging to our foreign partner pending when we see somebody
that will assist us, for the safety of ours.

We are presently in South Africa as Refugee (Asylum Seekers) and as
such the law of South Africa does not permit us to operate or open any
bank account here in South Africa or be involved in any financial
transaction with the bank. That is why we contacted you to assist us in this
transaction.

We are ready to give you 30% of the total amount for the inconveniences
this will cost you and for accepting to assist us.

Indicating your interest as soon as possible, by sending you telephone
and fax number for easier communication. On receiving of your
acceptance, I shall be glad to give you more clarification on the modalities
needed for smooth successful completion of this transaction.

I anticipate your quick response.

MR.AUTHOR GEZI
Alternative email: author_family@hotmail.com
(For and on Behalf of the Family)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam