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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: "MR.PAUL JACOB MAROGA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paulmaroga@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:53:58 +0200
Subject: MR.PAUL JACOB MAROGA(BUSINESS DEAL AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING)

From: MR.PAUL JACOB MAROGA
Department of Mineral Resources,
Republic of South Africa
 
 
I am MR.PAUL JACOB MAROGA , Director of Project, South Africa Department of Minerals and Energy. I am making this contact with you based on the urgent need for an individual/company who is willing to assist me with a solution to a money transfer.the (US$35,000,000.00) was the over estimated balance from the contracts awarded to both foreign and local contractors the real contract value was US$120 million united states dollars, but it was over estimated to the tune of (US$155,000, 000,00) (one hundred and fifty five million united states dollars only).
 
The contract has been successfully executed by the contractors and th eir contract sum of (US$120M) has been paid to them, leaving our over estimated balance of (US$35,000, 000. 00) United States dollars still pending at the bank. Right now, we are left with this over estimated balance of (US$35M) which is still floating at the escrow account in the South African reserve bank awaiting final payment to any reliable foreign bank account you may provide.
 
Should you be willing to assist me in the transaction? Your share of the sum will be 30% of the $35million, 65% for me and 5% for taxation and miscellaneous expenses.
 
To enable us commence, I will need your full Name, personal telephone/fax
number.
 
Please send your response to;paulmaroga@aol.com
 
I await your immediate response.
 
Best Regards,
MR.PAUL JACOB MAROGA
Department of Mineral Resources,
Republic of South Africa .
E-MAIL:paulmaroga@aol.com
 

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