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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: "Thabo Mashea" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <thabomashea2000@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 18:06:27 -0700
Subject: From Contracts Manager(PRASA)

Dear Sir,
 
Please kindly pardon my disposition as I know the unsafe nature of the internet but I am obliged to use this avenue to contact you due to the nature of this project.
 
However I am the Contracts Manager with Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and I have access to very vital information that can be used to claim a huge amount of money from the GAUTRAIN project account to a secured account.
 
I need a trustworthy seasoned businessperson to work with me as the foreign consultant in the actualization of this project which will be beneficial to both parties.
 
Full details /modalities will be disclosed on your expression of Interest to work with me.
 
Thanks for your anticipated corporation.
 
Regards,
Thabo Mashea
Contracts Manager
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa

Anti-fraud resources: