419 scam: Grace Manbasa <thfjfkmloiyjeje@msn.com> Grace Manbasa

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "demurrage " (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 send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million united state 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)
- "is highly confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "robert mugabe" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
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.
- +27735446003 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Grace Manbasa <thfjfkmloiyjeje@msn.com>
Reply-To: <austinmanbasa_1@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 08:19:51 +0000
Subject: Grace Manbasa

From: Ms. Grace Manbasa
23-30, Oxford Road,
Johannesburg South Africa
Tel: + 27-73-544-6003

Dear Sir/ Madam

Don’t be surprised to receive this letter from me since you don’t know me in person. For the purpose of introduction I am Ms. Grace Manbasa from Zimbabwe the daughter of Mr.John Manbasa who was murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe by the agents of the ruling government of President ROBERT MUGABE for his alleged support and sympathy for the opposition MDC PARTY led by the minority white farmers.

My father was among the few black Zimbabwean rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the war veterans backed by the government. Before the death of my father, he went to South Africa to deposit the sum of US$20.M (Twenty Million United State Dollars) With one of the security company in Johannesburg South Africa, as if he knew the looming danger in ZIMBABWE. The money was deposited as Gold and Diamond worth US$20.M to avoid much demurrage from the security firm. The money was earmarked for the purchase of new machinery and chemicals for the farms and the establishment of new farms in Lesotho and Swaziland. This Land problem arose when President Robert Mugabe introduced a new land act. Which wholly affects the white rich farmers and some few blacks vehemently condemned the "Modus operandi" adopted by the government. This resulted to rampart killing and Mob actions. My brother Austin) and I are staying in Johannesburg South Africa as Asylum
seekers; we have decided to transfer this money to a foreign country where we can invest it.

we are having a problem of investing this amount of money in South Africa for the fear of encountering the same experience in future since both countries have the same political policy/law which, does not allow investment hence we are seeking for an asylum or refugees here.I must let you know that this business is 100% risk free and the nature of your business does not necessary matter. So if you are willing to assist us , my brother and I have agreed to give you 20% of the total money,75% will be for my brother and I to invest in your country through your assistance, the remaining 5% will be mapped out for all expenses, we might incur during the transaction .Therefore if you are willing and interested to render the needed assistance, endeavor to reply through my mail .I also need your private telephone and fax numbers for easy communication. Remember that this is highly confidential and success of this business depends on how secret it is kept.
Expecting your reply soonest.

Best regards,

Ms. Grace Manbasa (For The Family).

N/B.PLEASE I WILL APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN SEND YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE,MOBILE AND FAX NUMBER TO INDICATE YOUR INTREST IN THIS TRANSACTION AND I ALSOAPPOLOGIES FOR BRINGING TO YOU THIS MASSEGE THROUGH MAIL DUE TO OUR REFUGE STATUS HERE. PLEASE YOU CAN READ ABOUT PROBLEMS IN ZIMBABWE FROM THIS LINKS BELOW.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm
Please kindly assure me that you will act accordingly as I have Stated herein. Hoping to receive your reply soonest. You can also contact my brother,
Mr. Austin Manbasa telephone +27-73-544-6003

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam