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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "keep it confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • zuma2002k@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: zuma_001thambo@yahoo.ca
Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:30:26 +0200
Subject: Investment offer


FROM ENGR DR. ZUMA THAMBO.
DIRECTOR PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
DEPARTMENT OF MINERAL AND ENERGY
SOUTH AFRICA.
Email:zuma2002k@yahoo.co.uk

Business offer

Dear Sir;
It is my great pleasure to write you this letter on behalf of my colleagues.

Your information was given to me by a member of the South African Export Promotion Council (SAEPC) who was with the government delegation on a trip to your country for a bilateral conference talk to encourage foreign investors.

I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of a deal described hereunder for the benefit of all parties and hope you will keep it confidential because of the nature of this business,

Within the Department of Minerals and Energy where I work as the Director of Project Implementation, with the cooperation of four other top officials, we have in our possession an overdue payment in US funds.

The said funds represent certain percentage of the contract executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting firm, which we over-invoiced to the amount of US$14,500,000.00 (Fourteen Million, Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

The actual contract cost has been paid to the original contract, leaving the excess balance unclaimed.

Since the present elected Government is determined to pay foreign contractors all debts owed, so as to maintain good relations with foreign governments and non-Governmental agencies, we included our bills for approvals with the Department of Finance and the South African Reserve Bank.

We are seeking your assistance to stay as the beneficiary of the unclaimed funds, since we are not allowed to operate foreign accounts by the financial laws of my country.

Details and change of beneficiary information upon application for claim to reflect payment and approvals will be secured on behalf of You/your Company. I have the authority of my colleagues to propose that, should you be willing to assist us in this transaction, your share as compensation will be US$2.9M (20%) while my colleagues and I receive US$10.15M (70%) and the balance US$1.45M (10%) for
taxes and other miscellaneous expenses incurred.

This business is completely safe and secure, provided you treat it with utmost confidentiality. It does not matter whether or not your company does contract projects, as a transfer of powers will be secured in favor of You/your Company. Also, your specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction.
If you can not make it to be here and see things your self send message directly to this e-mail with your contact phone and fax number or contact me on the telephone number below.

We have imposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint us.
Kindly notify me for further details upon your acceptance of this offer or write to me on E-mail:zuma2002k@yahoo.co.uk

Regards,

Mr. ZUMA THAMBO

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam