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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: info <info@festivalorganik.com>
Reply-To: <urgentfundtransfer@ovi.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 15:52:21 +0200
Subject: FROM MR ROBERT SINCLAIR


ATTN: Mr. /Ms,

May I have the pleasure of introducing myself. I am Mr. Robert 
Sinclair, a senior staff and chairman of Tender Board Committee on the 
award of contracts in Department of Works and Housing here in South 
Africa.


       I got your contact E-mail address from an international 
directory on lawyers and advisers on international business in my 
quest to find a trustworthy person on whom I can have confidence for 
colossal international money transaction. My aim of sending this 
"business proposal" to you is to solicit for your assistance and 
cooperation to transfer some huge amount of money into your account 
overseas. Therefore, this communication should be held in high 
confidence.


       My colleague and I in the Department of Works and Land Affairs 
wish to transfer into a safe and secured account overseas, the sum of 
THIRTY TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS (US$32.5M) which is 
over-invoiced amount from contracts we awarded to foreign contractors 
who have been duly paid on completion of their various contracts. This 
money right now is in a coded account in the Reserve Bank of South 
Africa.


          However, by virtue of our position as civil servants, we 
cannot acquire these funds in our names or in the names of companies 
here in South Africa. I was therefore asked by my colleagues on trust 
and sincerity to look for a reliable international outfit partner 
abroad into whose account the sum of US$32.5 Million will be 
transferred. We have agreed on the following sharing ratio if you 
accept our proposal. Seventy percent (70%) for us and Thirty percent 
(30%) for you, the Account owner.


          My choice of you for this transaction is basically hanged on 
your field and profession, hence this business proposal. If you are 
interested in this deal, I will require some information from you in 
order to effect the transfer of the money. Please, be informed that we 
shall commence processing of claims of payment once we receive your 
interest from you and the funds will get into your account within Five 
(5) working days by Telegraphic Transfer (T.T).



     Note that this transaction is 100% risk free. Do acknowledge the 
receipt of this letter above and forward your reply to this E-mail 
address (urgentfundtransfer@ovi.com) or you can call me on my private 
phone no + 27 81 741 5122.

Best Regards,
Robert Sinclair.





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