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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +27724623002 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • robertgezi@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Robert Gezi" <bob.gezi1@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:53:52 +0200
Subject: Re: Urgent


Mr. Robert Gezi
Department of Finance & Economic Affairs

Private Bag X 091 Marshalltown

2107 Pretoria .South Africa .


Request for Business Relationship



Dear friend,


Please accept this email and proposal from me, it is specifically meant for
your direct attention.



First, I must solicit your confidence in a business transaction. I am a high
placed official working with Department of Finance & Economic Affairs, in
Pretoria South Africa. I am currently in need of a foreign partner whose
cooperation and expertise we can use to transfer the sum of $26M Twenty Six
Million U.S. dollars. This money is legitimate and is part of commission
from a foreign contract that was executed through our ministry, the actual
contract was over invoiced whereas this amount is the surplus amount.

The money is presently waiting to be paid out from ABSA Bank here in South
Africa to any overseas beneficiary/account confirmed by us as the
contractor/beneficiary.
By virtue of my positions as a top civil servant in my country, I cannot
acquire this money in my name or personal capacity. Because as high placed
civil servants, we are not allowed by the civil service code of conduct to
own or operate bank accounts outside our country or offshore account. On the
other hand, it is not safe for us to keep the money here due to uncertainty
of the turn out of events is dispensation of the political environment and
pitfalls in today's democracy.


I am mandated as a matter of trust to look for an overseas partner who could
work with us to facilitate transfer of this fund for our mutual benefit,
hence the reason for this email to you.


What I am requesting from you is: (1) to cooperate with us and act as a
subcontractor to receive the money as payment of a contract executed here in
South Africa. The original contract sum has been paid out, and the sub
contract amount which we shall secure all legal documentation and approvals
based on the time of completion of the contract to authenticate our claim.
(2) Provide a private telephone and fax number for easy communication under
your control. (3)Receive the money as the beneficiary in your bank account,
take out your commission and keep the rest of the money for us as we shall
instruct you. I will arrive in your country to meet you after the transfer
is completed.

My proposal to you in this business will be accomplished in this manner, 25%
of the money will be your commission for your co-operation and assistance in
facilitating the transfer, 75% belongs to me and my colleagues. You will be
free to indicate the best account for this operation. Since our objective is
to invest the money in a foreign country, it would be appreciated if you
could also help us in investing into profitable/lucrative ventures in your
country, I will prefer a joint venture or establishing a good company so
that it will give us opportunity to resign.

However, this is optional. But I am willing to negotiate with you regarding
our own part of the money.


This transaction is legitimate and without any risks, either to us or
yourself. Please, give me your response immediately by return email through
my alternate email:
(robertgezi@yahoo.com<http://us.mc452.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=robertgezi@yahoo.com>)



Yours Faithfully,

Robert Gezi

(Tell; +27-72-462-3002)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam