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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.

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

Fraud email example:

From: "Mosebenzi Zwane" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zwane2018@yandex.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2017 08:28:29 -0700
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPONSE REQUIRED..

FROM OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR,
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UNIT
ESKOM DEPARTMENT REPUBLIC
OF SOUTH AFRICA.
 
Dear  Friend,
 
I know this proposal may come to you as a surprise especially having to come from someone you have not met before, but I would like you to co-operate with me so that this US$35M will be released and transferred into your account.
 
My name is Mr. Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane, the CEO /chairman of contract award committee of Department of ESKOM company LTD, Republic of South Africa. It is my profound intention to contact you for this very important and highly confidential transaction for the transfer of US$35.000.000.00 into your account.
 
the (US$35.000.000.00) was the overestimated 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 their contract sum of (US$120M) has been paid to them, leaving 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.
 
Therefore asking you to co-operate with me immediately so that the fund will be released and transferred into your account. if you are interested in this my proposal, reply me so that we can negotiate your percentage before we can proceed. however, when the fund is transferred into your account over there, I shall obtain visa and travel with my family over there for my own share of the money. I will like you to send me the following information’s through email address.
 
 
Your full names/company name, Occupation, Your Private Phone/Fax Numbers,
 
 
looking forward to hearing from you and working with you soon.
 
 
Thank
Minister Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane.

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