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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Thobeka Madiba Zuma" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <thobekamadiba@webmail.co.za>
Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2017 17:29:25 +0100
Subject: ***Spam*** I am waiting

My Greetings,
 
I am Mrs. Thobeka Madiba Zuma from South Africa, after a brief search on the internet for a decent and honest person. I decided to contact you for an important and urgent business we can do together as one family. I am here to discuss with you on a possible transfer of $12.6 Million US Dollars to you for safe-keeps and investments purposes.
 
Please I come to you in the Name of Almighty Allah. I will give you more details as soon as I receive your response with your names and direct mobile phone number for easy communication and kindly respond to me on my private email here ( thobekamadiba@webmail.co.za)
Thanks and Allah Bless You.
 
Hope to hear from you soon.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Thobeka Madiba Zuma

Anti-fraud resources: