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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: Scotland Yard Police London <thefishinghole@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: www.metropolice@post.ro
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:38:16 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Good Day

Ms.Edna Molewa,
Minister of Social Development
South Africa.

Dear Sir/Ma,

After due deliberation with my children, I decided to contact you for your
assistance in standing as a beneficiary to the sum of US$3.5M ( Three
Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) First, let me
start by introducing myself, I am Ms.Edna Molewa, a mother of three
children and Minister of Social Development of the Republic of South
Africa under the President of South Africa Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma.

Please view my profile.http://www.info.gov.za/leaders/ministers/socdev.htm

After the swearing in ceremony making me a Member of the African National
Congress Women's League National Executive Council in 2003., my husband MR
Molewa died while he was on an official trip to Trinidad and Tobago in
2004. After his death, I discovered that he had some funds in a dollar
account which mounted to the sum of US$3.5M with a Financial Institute
abroad.

This fund emanated as a result of an over-invoiced contract which he
executed with the Government of South Africa. Though I assisted him in
getting this contract but I never knew that it was over-invoiced by him. I
am afraid that the government of South Africa might start to investigate
on contracts awarded from year 2000 till date.

If they discover this money in his bank account, they will confiscate it
and seize his assets here in South Africa and this will definitely affect
my political career in government.I need your assistance in clearing this
money from the Financial Institute.As soon as the fund is cleared, you are
expected to move it immediately into another personal bank account in your
country.I will see to it that the account is not traced from South Africa.
As soon as you have confirmed the fund into your account, I will send my
eldest son with my Attorney to come to your country to discuss on business
investments.

For your assistance, I am offering you (Seven Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars Only) However, you have to assure me and also be ready to
go into agreement with me that you will not elope with my fund.If you
agree to my terms, kindly as a matter of urgency send me an email.Due to
my sensitive position in the South African Government, I would not WANT
you to call me on phone or send a fax to me. All correspondence must be by
email to my private email.

If you want to speak with my Attorney, that is fine and okay by me. His
chambers will be representing my interest with you. All correspondence
must be made to my Attorney, I will also like you to send me the following
information below: To enable my Attorney call or reach you from time to
time.

1. Your full name
2. Your telephone and fax numbers
3. Your contact address.

Please I do not need to remind you of the need for absolute
Confidentiality if this transaction must succeed. YOU MUST NOT CALL ME! If
you do not feel comfortable with this transaction, do not hesitate to
discontinue.

Thanks for your anticipated co-operation and my regards to your family.

Yours faithfully,

Ms.Edna Molewa,
Minister of Social Development
South Africa.








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