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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:

Fraud email example:

From: JANSEN KATSANDE <katsandejansen@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2014 05:23:57 -0700
Subject: family in need




 
FROM: KATSANDE JANSEN
TEL: +27767 272 425 
               
                 CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Sir/Madam,
I know you will be surprise to read from me, but
please consider this letter as request from a family in dire need for your assistance. Firstly I must introduce myself. I am Mr. Katsande Jansen from ZIMBABWE, I am the first and only son of MR.DANIEL KATSANDE I am presently residing in South Africa. I got your contact from the South African Information Exchange (S.A.I.E.) in Johannesburg and On behalf of my mother who is a widow MRS. ANGELA KATSANDE I decided to solicit for your assistance to transfer the sum of US$17.5M (SEVENTEEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) in your personal or company’s account. 
Before my father’s death he was among the few
black Zimbabwean rich farmers and he was poisoned by the agent of the ruling
government of president Robert Mugabe for his alleged support and sympathy for
the Zimbabwe opposition party controlled by the white minority. 
Before his death he had taken me to Johannesburg
to deposit this money to a Security and Finance Company. This money was
deposited in a box as gemstone to avoid much demurrage from the Security
Company. 
This money was earmarked for purchase of new
machinery and chemicals for the farms and to establish new farms in Lesotho and
Swaziland. 
In his will he specially drew my attention to
this sum of US$17.5M (SEVENTEEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES
DOLLARS) that he deposited in a safe box in a private Security and Finance
Company here in Johannesburg, South Africa. 
IN FACT MY FATHER SAID IN HIS WILL AND QUOTE: 
“My beloved son (Jansen) I wish to draw your
attention to this money which I deposited in your name in a box with a Security
and Finance Company in Johannesburg, South Africa. In case of my absence on
earth caused by death. 
You
should solicit for a reliable foreign partner to assist you to transfer this
money out of South Africa for investment purpose.” 
From the above, you will understand that the
live and future of my family depends on this money as much. I will be grateful
if you can assist us. 
We are
now living in South Africa as Asylum seekers and financial laws of South Africa
does not allow Asylum seekers certain right to such huge amount of money. In
view of this, I cannot invest this money in South Africa, hence I am asking you
to assist me to transfer this money out of South Africa for investment purpose. 
For
your efforts, I am prepared to offer you 25% of the total fund. While 5% will
be set aside for local and international expenses and 70% will be kept by my
family. Finally modalities on how the transfer will be done and conveyed to you
once we establish trust and confidence between ourselves. 
Please
with the love of god and to be a good helper kindly furnish me your telephone
and fax number for easily communication in my dire need Thanks. 
Looking
forward to your reply and please treat as very urgent. 
Best regards 

MR Katsande Jansen
For the family

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