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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Thomas Tabane" <drthomas_tabane2@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 12:57:33 +0000
Subject: How are you

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a member of the Director Project Implementation committee, Department
of Minerals and Energy, Republic of South Africa. I am in search of an agent
to assist us in the transfer of US$14.2m and subsequent investment in
properties in your country. You will be required to:-
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.
If you are willing to assist us in the transaction, your share of
the sum will be 30% of the US$14.2M, 60% for us and 10% for miscellaneous
expenses. I will be pleased as soon as you indicate your interest by
including
your confidential phone and fax numbers in your positive response to my
confidential
email address below or call me on my confidential telephone and fax numbers
below,
this will enable us furnish you with further informations on the procedures
and
modalities on how funds will be transferred or made available to you.

I await your immediate response.

Sincerely,
Dr Thomas Tabane.
Corporate Tel:+27-737-920763
Confidential Tel:+871-762-604470
Confidential Fax:+871-762-604471
Confidential email: drthomastabane@yahoo.it
Confidential email: drthomastabane@tsamail.co.za


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