419 scam: "Dr.Thabo Tharage" <ottilia@tvnetwork.hu> Good day

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united states dollars" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr.Thabo Tharage" <ottilia@tvnetwork.hu>
Reply-To: tharagedcza@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2017 10:19:37 +0200
Subject: Good day

Dear Intending Partner,

My name is Dr. Thabo V. Tharage. I am a staff with the ministry of
Tourism in South Africa. I am responsible for awarding contracts. I
have an outstanding contract payment of $30 Million USD.These funds
was as a result of overinvoiced,

The amount is (US$30,000, 000), though the actual contract cost has
been paid to the original contractor, leaving the excess balance
unclaimed. So I am in search of an individual who will assist me to
transfer the outstanding amount of ThirtyMillion United States Dollars
Only (US$30,000, 000) and subsequently, we invest the fund in
properties in your country or any business which will yield result for
both us.

For your support and partnership, I am willing to offer you 25% of the
total money. This transaction is confidential. I will seek for your
consent regarding to this transaction before we will proceed further.

Also, your area of specialization will not be a hindrance to the
successful execution of this transaction as I need a foreigner or Firm
that will carry out the transfer successfully. I have confidence in
you and hope that you will not disappoint me.

I will give you more details on how to proceed as soon I received
your response

I am looking forward to do business with you.
Best regards
Tel +27 629817836
Dr. Thabo V. Tharage
Director, Project Implementation

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam