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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Mr.Anigabor Gregory <gentility06@aim.com>
Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2006 23:22:58 +0100
Subject: FROM: Mr. Anigabor Gregory


Mr. Anigabor Gregory
Department Minerals and Energy
Republic of South Africa.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
Dear Friend,

I apologized using this medium to reach you for a transaction/business of this magnitude, but this is due to Confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this medium. In unfolding this proposal, I want to count on you, as a respected and honest person to handle this project/transaction with sincerity, trust and confidentiality.

I am Mr. Anigabor Gregory, a native of Cape Town, South-Africa. I am one of Board of Directors of Project Implementation, South Africa Ministry of Mining & Natural Resources. 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 money transfer. I am presently in Germany, Europe on an assignment, so telephone and e-mail conversation will not be a problem for us.

I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the project described here under for the benefit of all parties and hope you will keep it as a TOP SECRET because of the nature of this transaction.

Please, listen very attentively,

Within the Ministry of Mining and Natural resources where I work as one of the Directors of Project Implementation and with the cooperation of two other top officials, we have in our possession as overdue payment bills totalling Sixteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$16,500,000.00), which we want to transfer abroad with the assistance and cooperation of a foreign company/individual to receive the said fund on our behalf or a reliable foreign non-company account to receive such funds.

More so, we are handicapped in the circumstances, as the South Africa Civil Service Code of Conduct does not allow us to operate offshore account hence your importance in the whole transaction. This amount, $16.5 Million USD 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 have been paid to the original contractor, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount which we have in principles gotten approval to remit by Key tested Telegraphic Transfer (K.T.T) to any foreign bank account you will provide by filing in an application through the Ministry of Justice 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 propose that should you be willing to assist us in the transaction, your share of the sum will be 25% of the $16.5 Million USD, 70% for us and 5% for taxation and miscellaneous expenses from both side. The business itself is 100% safe, on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality. You have my word and my word is my bond.

Also your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this project. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me.

Endeavour to contact me immediately through my confidential e-mail address if you are interested to enable us give you more further details. But if you are not, it will enable me scout for another foreign partner to carry out this project as soon as possible.

I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation.

Yours faithfully,
Mr. Anigabor Gregory

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam