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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:

• 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:
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +27738905503 (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.
  • frankvuzi@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Frank Vuzi" <frankvuzi@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:16:08 +0200
Subject: Mr. Frank Vuzi


*From ; Mr. Frank Vuzi*
*52 Main Street Rosettenvail
Johannesburg, Republic
of South Africa.
Phone= +27-73-890-5503*
*Email = **frankvuzi@hotmail.com* <frankvuzi@hotmail.com>

*Good day,

My name is Mr. Frank Vuzi, the son of Mr. Themba Vuzi of Zimbabwe. It might
be a surprise to you where I got your contact address. Don't be worried
because I am contacting you in good faith.

During the current crisis 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 farmers in
the country and knowing that he did not support the President political
ideology, the president supporters invaded my father's farm and burnt down
everything, killed him and confiscated all his investments.

After the death of my father, my mother and I with my younger sister
decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives. We took along
with us the documents of the money my father deposited as personal
valuables in a private Security Company in the Republic of South Africa for
safekeeping which amounted to the sum of US$21M (TWENTY ONE MILLION UNITED
STATES DOLLARS) .*
*
Because of our present status (Political Refugees),and the Xenophobia
attacks on foreigners here in South Afrcia is also giving us great
concern my mother and I are seriously looking forward to having an overseas
partner that will assist us with the convenient and legal transfer of the
funds out of South Africa. If my proposition 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. 75% will be for my family to invest in your country
under your supervision.*

* For detailed information, you can contact me on the above e mail and phone
number. I would appreciate confidentiality and honesty in our
correspondence.
Your immediate response will be highly welcomed.

Best Regards,
Frank Vuzi (FOR THE FAMILY)*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam