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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: doe tzolA <dr_doetzolaa@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2006 20:24:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: INVESTMENT!!!


>From the Desk of:
Dr. Doe Tzola
Director Project Implementation
Dept. Of Minerals & Energy (DME)
Pretoria, South Africa.



Attn: Belial Diablo,

I am Dr. Doe Tzola, Director of Project Implementation Department of Minerals & Energy. First and foremost, I apologized using this medium to reach you for a transaction/business of this magnitude. Be informed that I got your particulars from a member of the South Africa Export Promotion Council (SAEPC) who was at the Government delegation to your country during a trade exhibition. I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the deal described hereunder for the benefit of all parties and hope you will keep it as a top secret because of the nature of this transaction.

Within the Department of Minerals & Energy where I work as a Director of Project Implementation and with the co-operation of other officials, we have in our possession as overdue payment bills totaling Sixteen Million, Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$16,400,000.00) which we want to transfer abroad with the assistance and co-operation of a foreign company/individual to receive the said fund on our behalf or a reliable foreign non-company account to receive such funds. More so, we are handicapped in the circumstances, as the South Africa Civil Service Code of Conduct does not allow us to operate offshore account hence your importance in the whole transaction.

This amount (US$16.4m) represents the balance of the total contract value executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting firm, which we the officials over-invoiced deliberately. Though the actual contract cost have been paid to the original contractor, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount which we have in principles gotten approvals to remit by Telegraphic Transfer (T.T) to any foreign bank account you will provide by filing in an application through the Justice Ministry here in South Africa for the transfer of rights and privileges of the former contractor to you.

I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that should you be willing to assist us in the transaction, your share of the sum will be 20% of the US$16.4 million, 70% for us and 5% for taxation and miscellaneous expenses and the remaining 5% will be for charity Organisation. The business itself is 100% safe, on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality. Also, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me. Endeavour to contact me immediately through my above confidential tel or fax number, whether or not you are interested in this deal.

I want to assure you that myself and my partners are in a position to make the payment of this claim possible provided you can give us a very strong assurance and guarantee that our share will be secured and please remember to treat this matter as very confidential matter, because we will not comprehend with any form of exposure as we are still in active Government Service, it is pertinent to inform you that time is of the essence in this transaction.

I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation.

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Doe Tzola


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam