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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:
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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:
  • "the key word to this transaction is absolute confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • +27847567141 (South Africa, prepaid 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.
  • wil_masaya2002@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: will masaya <greatmasaya108@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:24:30 +0000
Subject: FROM: WILFRED MASAYA



FROM: WILFRED MASAYA
TEL: +27 847 567 141
EMAIL: wil_masaya2002@hotmail.com

Good day to you,

My name is Mr. Wilfred Masaya, the elder son of late Mr. Murerwa Masaya 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.

Some months before the death of my father, my father travel to South Africa and deposit the sum of US$15 Million as personal valuables in a security company. 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 live to the Republic of South Africa and seek for political asylum.

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 on Telephone: + 27 847 567 141 or through this email: wil_masaya2002@hotmail.com

NOTE: 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,
Wilfred Masaya


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam