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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.

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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:
  • "the key word to this transaction is absolute confidentiality" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • thomasmashaba@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: thomas mashaba <thomasmashaba34@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2007 08:14:22 +0000
Subject: URGENT



FROM: Thomas mashaba
EMAIL: thomasmashaba@hotmail.com
PHONE;+2783898177
Good day to you
My name is Mr. thomas mashaba, the son of late Mr. Murerwa mashaba of Zimbabwe, but I am contacting you from neighboring country South Africa. It might be surprises to you where I got your contact address but I got your e-mail address from the Internet, please don’t be worried. During the current crises against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters of our President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white owned farms in our country, he ordered all the white farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and their followers.
My father was one of the best black farmers in the country and knowing that he did not support the President’s political ideology, the President’s supporters invaded my father’s farm burnt down everything, killed him and confiscated all his investments.
After the death of my father, my mother and I with my younger brother decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives. luckily before the death of my father he had deposited the sum of US$15 Million in a security firm in the Republic of South Africa as personal valuables. My Mother and I have decided to contact any reliable overseas firm who could assist us to transfer this money out of South Africa, because we as asylum seeker here in South Africa cannot open a non-resident account through which this fund will be channeled out to your nominated overseas account.
If my preposition is considered, for assisting us to transfer this money to your country, we will offer you 20% of the total fund, and 5% of the total will be set aside to cover any expenses incurred during this transaction. Then 75% will be for me and my family to invest in your country under your assistance.
My mother and I pray and plead for your help. You can contact us strictly through this email: thomasmashaba@hotmail.comNOTE: THE KEY WORD TO THIS TRANSACTION IS ABSOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECRECY. THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% RISK FREE. Your urgent response will be highly appreciated.
God bless you as you heed to our plea for assistance.
Best regards
Thomas mashaba
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam