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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: "STEPHEN KAWUNDA" <stpkawunda2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: stpkawunda2@fastermail.com
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 12:01:15 +0100
Subject: I NEED YOUR CO-OPERATION

FROM: DR.STEPHEN KAWUNDA (IICA) (PhD),
REGIONAL COMPUTING AUDITOR
STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG BRANCH.(S G B)
ATTN:(HANDLE THIS INFORMATION SECRETLY)
Dear,
I am Stephen Kawunda, the Regional computing auditor of
(STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA) JOHANNESBURG BRANCH (SBSA).
There is an account opened in this bank in 1985 and since
1992 nobody has operated on this account again. After going
through some old files in the records I discovered that if
I do not remmit this money out urgently it will be forfeited
for nothing according to South Africa laws and act of
1993,the money will be revert this country government
treasury after 15 years if there is no valid claim.
I need a foreign partner that will present as a relative to this
late man.
The owner of this account is Mr. Daniel B.Jones, a foreigner,
and a Miner at Kruger Gold Co. a geologist by profession and
he died since 1992.
the account has no other beneficiary and my investigation
proved to me as well that this company does
not know anything about this account and the amount
involved is us$34,000,000 Thirty Four million dollars.
I am only contacting you as a foreigner,
I will use my influence to effect legal
approvals and onward transfer into your account
At the conclusion of this business, you will be given 50%of
the total amount, 50%will be for me and my family, i await to
hear from you.
Yours truly
Dr Stephen
STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA


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