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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • stellasigcu@gawab.com

Fraud email example:

From: Stella Sigcua <stellasiguc@netscape.net>
Reply-To: stellasigcu@gawab.com
Date: Fri, 06 Jan 2006 15:36:46 +0100
Subject: From: Mrs.Stella Sigcau


Dear Sir/Madam

CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS

REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

After due deliberation with my children, I decided to contact you for your assistance in standing as a beneficiary to the sum of US12.5M (Twelve Million,Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only)First, let me start by introducing myself as Mrs.Stella Sigcau, a mother of three children and the Minister of Public Works in South African Government (17 June 1999) to date under the auspices of the President of South Africa MR THABO MBEKI. You can view my profile at my

http://www.gov.za/gol/gcis_profile.jsp?id=1068

THE PROPOSAL

After the swearing in ceremony making me the Minis! ter of Public Works in South African Government (17 June 1999),my husband Mr Edelebe Sigcau died while! he was on an official trip to Trinidad and Tobago in 2002.After his death, I discovered that he had some funds in a dollar account which amounted to the sum of US$12.5M with a BANK in Europe.

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 1998 to date. If they got to know about the undone contract, they will confiscate his account and seize his assets here in South Africa and this will definitely affect my political career in Government.

I want your assistance in contacting the bank in Europe as my late husband foreign partner who deposited this fund onward transfer to a foreign partner for investment purposes, and wired into your account directly without any hitch. As soon as the fund gets to your account,you are expected to move it immediately into anot her personal bank account
in your country.

I will see to it that the account is not traced from South Africa for since all the transaction will be made in Europe. As soon as you have confirmed the fund into your account, I will send my eldest son to come to your country to discuss on business investments.

As soon as you accepted kindly forward your accounting details so that I will instruct this bank to transfer this fund within 72 hours and you need not to make any upfront expenses until this incoming fund is confirmed in any of your account submitted, then after I will travel down for my percentage as agreed or we enter into partnership venture
if you want.

SHARING PERCENTAGE

For your assistance, I am offering you 20% of the principal sum, which amounts to US$2,500.000.00 (Two million Five Hundred Thousand United State s 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 through my private E-Mail: stellasigcu@gawab.com, 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 above mail address.

Please I do not need to remind you of the need for absolute Confidentiality if this transaction must succeed. YOU MUST NOT RESPOND TO ME! If you do not feel comfortable with this transaction, do not hesitate to discontinue. For l wait your! readiness response in handling this transaction to enable me send you details of the deposited fund and the bank contact in Spain for your confirmation. Also once I hear from you, I will tell this bank to contact you for immediate transfer before this week runs out. Please due to my position in government, on ce I hear from you, then I will direct you to my son who will complete this transfer with you immediately.

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

Yours faithfully,

Stella Sigcau ms,
Minister of Public Works, South Africa.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam