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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: steve zundi <stezun018@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <stezund10@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:42:38 +0200
Subject: QUALITY CO-OPERATION



FROM:MR.STEVE ZUNDI. Johanesburg,SouthAfrica
DEAR Sir,
My name is as above stated,the elder son of Mr.Andrew Zundifrom the Republic of Zimbabwe.It might be a surprise to youwhere i got your contact address.I got your contact fromthe South Africa Chamber of Commerce in Johannesburg.During the current war against the farmers in zimbabwe fromthe supporters of our Presdent Robert Mugabe,in his effortto chase all the whit farmers out of the country,he orderedall the white farmers to surrender their farms to his partymembers and his followers.My father,was one of the best andsuccessful farmers in our country and formerly the Finance Minister of RobertMugabe administration,but he did not support the idea ofdispossessing the white farmers of their land.Because ofthis,his farm was invaded and burnt by governmentsupporters.In the course of the attack, my father was killed, and the invaders made away with a lot ofitems from my father's farm. And our family house wasutterly destroyed.My mother died too out of heart attack.
Before the death of my father,he drew my attention to thesum of US$18.5M [EITHEEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED USDOLLARS],Which he deposited with a security company inSouth Africa during his tenure as the Finance Minister ofZimbabwe.My sister and I decided to move out of Zimbabwefor our own security,because our lives were in danger.Wedecided to move to the Republic of South Africa where myfather deposited this money.Till date, the security companyis not aware of the content of the consignment because myfather used his Diplomatic immunity as at that time to deposit the consignment asimportant personal valuables.
I desided to have contact with overseas person/firm whowill assist me to move the money out of South Africa.Thisbecomes necessary becaose as political asylum seekers,weare not allowed to own or operate a bank account.If you accept this proposal,you shall receive25% of the entire amount for assisting us to move thismoney out,70% of this amount shall be for us, and theremaining 5% shall be mapped out for expenses incurred in the course of the transaction.
I want you to immediately confirm your interest in theproject .As soonas i get your response,I will give you more details on howwe can proceed.
Thanks for your anticipated coperation.Urgent responsewaited.
Best regards,
Mr.STEVE ZUNDI. [for the family]
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam