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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.

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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 - 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. )
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • "utmost 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)
  • "i got your email address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +27780251188 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
  • +27866194289 (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.
  • markmoyosa1@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mark moyo" <markmoyo2@unimail.mn>
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 11:33:41 +0200
Subject: From: Mark Moyo


From: Mark Moyo
Johannesburg- South Africa.
Direct Phone Number +27 78 025 1188
Direct Fax number +27 86 61 94 289

Dear Sir/Madam,
REF: URGENT REQUEST

My name is MARK MOYO (Jnr) the elder son of PRINCE DENNIS MOYO, of the
republic of Zimbabwe I'm aware that this unexpected letter will come to you
as a surprise I Apologies for any inconvenience, but please do bear with me
for I am Only seeking for your help. I got your email address from network
Directory. I apologize if I have infringed on your privacy.

During the current war against the farmers in Zimbabwe, supported by
President, Robert Mugabe in his effort to expel the white farmers of the
country. He has ordered the white farmers to give their farms to his members
of the party and his followers .

My father was one of the most successful farmers in our country, and had
been the Minister of Finance in Robert Mugabe's administration, but he did
not like the idea of dispossessing the white farmers of their land. For
this, his farm was invaded and was burned by the supporters of the
government. In the course of the assault, my father was killed, and the
invaders made away with many articles of the farm of my father. Our family
house was totally destroyed.

Before the death of my father, he called me to the attention of the sum of
US$8.2 Million United States Dollars, which he had deposited with a Security
Company here in South Africa, during his tenure as minister of finance. I
decided to get in touch with your company, so that you will help me in the
transfer of this money from South Africa. This has become necessary after I
have been denied any right to own Bank account or any other form of
financial transaction here, for I am a political asylum seeker here in South
Africa.

We (my sister and I) proposed that you should receive 20% of the entire
amount for your help in the transfer of the fund, then 75% of this money
shall go to us (my sister and I), 5% remaining will be used to cover any
cost or expenses incurred by the both parties in the process of this
transaction.

Would you immediately confirm your interest in this transaction by replying
to my private email : markmoyosa1@yahoo.com then I will give you more
details as to how we shall conclude this transaction. Incase you may have no
interest in this transaction; I kindly request your utmost confidentiality
and secrecy in this matter for security reasons.

Thank you for your co-operation.
Best regards,

MARK MOYO (Jnr).
CONTACT METHROUGH MY PRIVATE EMAIL PLEASE :markmoyosa1@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam