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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: "TONY MARAWA" <tonymarawa29_za@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:47:52 +0200
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL REQUEST

FROM THE DESK OF TONY MARAWA
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
PRETORIA, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
E-MAIL:tonymarawa100@yahoo.com
 
                                                       CONFIDENTIAL REQUEST.
 
ATTN: PRESIDENT / CEO.
 
It is indeed my pleasure to write to you this letter,which I believe will be a surprise to you, as we are both complete strangers. I Work at the Department of Minerals and Energy in South Africa as the Director of Audit and Project Implementation, I have the mandate of three senior
colleagues to search discreetly and diligently for a foreign partner that could assist us
concerning a business matter, which will be of mutual benefit to all. We do require your assistance in the transfer of US$12,500,000.00(Twelve  Million Five Hundred Thousand
United State Dollars).
 
 
This fund emanate from over invoiced contract amount that was executed for my Department by a mining company, which has undergone liquidation. Although the actual contract amount was paid to the company, the over invoiced amount of US$12,500,000.00. has since been lying in the Department’s escrow account at the Reserve Bank of South Africa pending proof of claim, I am privy to this classified information by virtue of my position in the Department.
 

However we are unable to proceed alone with the transaction because the civil service code of conduct laws strictly prohibits us from engaging in private business or operating any foreign account, hence our search for a foreigner whose company and account (business or private), we can use to transfer the money.
 
We already have the approved proof of claim and evident of this contract in
our possession, while soliciting for a reliable and committed foreign partner to act as front for
us. The basis of this transaction is that the assets of the Liquidated Mining Company, which
won the contract from my Department is being acquired by your company and we shall arrange all the necessary documentation in conjunction with one of the ex-directors of the
closed mining company.
 
Acquisitions of company are very common practice here in my country and the officials responsible for documentation have been settled on this matter.

Please note that this transaction is 100% risk free and we shall abide strictly to all the legal procedure as contained in our laws and internationals laws in transferring the fund. I ask that you keep this communication strictly confidential, as the three senior officials involved are very highly placed government functionaries and would not like to be exposed at this stage.
Please go through this letter carefully and if you are interested in assisting us, kindly notify me urgently via my confidential telephone, fax number and(tonymarawa100@yahoo.com above as time is of great essence in this transaction. Upon your acceptance to assist us I shall provide you with more information on procedures and also negotiate your percentage with you  for your assistance.
 
Thank you and God bless as I wait for your urgent response.
 
My sincere regards
ENGR.  TONY MARAWA.


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