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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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Fraud email example:

From: elvisradebe01@netscape.net
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 22:52:38 +0200
Subject: KEEP PRIVATE.

FROM: DR. ELVIS RADEBE.
THE DIRECTOR OF PROJECT,
DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS & ENERGY.
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.

Dear Sir,

I am Dr. Elvis Radebe, the director of Projects, South Africa Department of Minerals & Energy. I am making this contact with you based on the committee's need for an individual/company who is willing to assist us with a solution to a funds transfer.

In unfolding this proposal, I want to count on you, as a respected and honest person to handle this transaction with sincerity, trust and confidentiality. I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the deal described hereunder for the benefit of all parties and hope you will keep it as a top secret because of the nature of this transaction. Within the Department of Minerals & Energy where I work as a Director of Project and with the co-operation of two other top officials, we have in our possession as overdue payment bills totalling Fourteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$14,500,000.00) which we want to transfer abroad with the assistance and co-operation of a foreign company/individual to receive the said funds on our behalf. More so, we are handicapped in this circumstance, as the South Africa Civil Service Code of Conduct does not allow us to operate offshore account hence your importance in the whole transact!
ion.

This amount (US$14.5m) represents the balance of the total contract value executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting firm, which we the officials over-invoiced deliberately. Though the actual contract cost been paid to the original contractor, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount which we have in principles got approval to remit by Telegraphic Transfer (T.T) to any foreign bank account you will provide by filing in an application through the Justice Department here in South Africa for the transfer of rights and privileges of the former contractor to you.

I have the authority of my partners involved to discuss on the modalities of sharing with you. Your share of the entire sum will be (26.5%) US$3,842,500 (Three Million Eight Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, Five Hundred United States Dollars, US$8,555,000 (Eight Million Five Hundred and Fifty-Five Thousand United States Dollars (59%)for us and (14.5%) US$2,102,500 (Two Million One Hundred and Two Thousand, Five Hundred United States Dollars) for taxation and miscellaneous expenses. The business itself has a minimal risk factor; on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality. In addition, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction.

It is equally important to state here that considering the nature of this matter, I will require that it be handled most discreetly. If you consider yourself honest, trustworthy and willing to assist us, kindly contact me through my direct e-mail address: elvisradebe@excite.com upon receipt of this letter for execution details and other necessary discussions. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me.

In anticipation of your trusted and genuine assistance I remain.

Best Regards,

Dr. Elvis Radebe.

N: B
=============================================================.
This e-mail and any attachments are privileged and may contain confidential information intended for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure of this information is prohibited under applicable law. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail. Disclosing, copying, distributing or taking action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.

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