419 scam: mpumi thage <mpumi.thage.za@gmail.com> URGENT AND CONFIDENTAIL

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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:

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:
- "00,000.00" (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 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.
- +27838795528 (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.
- leonard.benson6@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: mpumi thage <mpumi.thage.za@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Apr 2015 14:10:48 -0700
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTAIL

I am Leonard Benson first son of Engineer Phliip Benson from Zimbabwe.
Before his death, he had taken me to Johannesburg to deposit the sum of
USD15, 500,000.00 for the purchase of chemicals for farms and machinery for
the establishment of a new farm in Swaziland.

As the eldest son of my father, I am saddled with the responsibility of
seeking a genuine foreign account where this money could be transferred
into. All I seek for is an honest person(s), whom I can entrust my future
and that of my whole family. I will therefore like to invest the money
under your guidance and advice, and I think I can invest in your company
and start what may be a good partnership in future.

Please think about the offer and get back to me so that I can give you
elaborate details.

In my next message, we will discuss the certain percentage of the money for
your role in the transaction or we can go into partnership with me for the
proper profitable investment in your country.

Looking forward to your positive response

Yours Sincerely,

Leonard Benson
+27838795528
leonard.benson6@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam