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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: Mark Lewis <marklewis1569@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Mark Lewis <marklewis10108@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 4 May 2018 21:26:33 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: VERY URGENT


       Dear. Sir/Madam
My name is Mr. Mark Lewis. I am a staff of a government ministry in South Africa responsible for awarding and execution of contracts. I have in my possession an outstanding contract payment of USD40, 000,000 Million. These funds represent certain percentage of the total contract value executed on behalf of a Department by a foreign contracting firm, which was officially over-invoiced to the amount of (USD40, 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 the total fund and subsequently we invest same in lucrative ventures in his country.
You will receive this fund as an applied contractor. For your support and partnership, please reply to negotiate the fee or the percentage you will be paid when the funds arrive in your account overseas. I have the surety to secure approvals with the concerned Departments. You must however note that this transaction, with regard to my disposition to continue with you is subject to these terms:
Firstly, our conviction of your transparency; meaning you will not ‘sit’ on the funds when it arrives in your account, Secondly, that you treat this transaction with confidentiality and also provide an account for which you have absolute control.
It does not matter whether you/your Company does contract projects, as a transfer of powers will be secured in favor of you/your Company.
Also, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction as what we need is a foreign individual or firm we will present and do the paperwork to clear the funds. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me.
I am looking forward to doing business with you and please email your response to me through my private email address below, I need a serious and matured person not a time waster please.
Note that 50% of the fund is yours and the other 50% is mine we have to sign agreement to this term for full trust and confidence.
Kindly provide me with your full names and telephone number so I can reach you for more details and further deliberations. E-mail: marklewis10108@gmail.comBest regardsPhone; +27625156699

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