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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: felixmandla@netscape.net
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:28:44 -1200
Subject: URGENT PROPOSAL

DEPARTMENT OF MINERAL & ENERGY
From the Desk of: Mr. Felix Mandla
Director, Audit & Project Implementation
Email:felixmandla@netscape.net
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL & URGENT.
Sir,
I write to use this medium as a means of reaching out to you to make a
request. 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 Departmentof 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 totaling Twenty - Six Million, Five
Hundred Thousand U. S Dollars 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 or a reliable foreign non-company account to
receive such funds. More so, we are handicapped in these 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 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.

The 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 22.2%, while
46.6% for us and 31.1% 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. Also, your area of
specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this
transaction. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will
not disappoint me. I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation. I
am available on my email address felixmandla@netscape.net
to entertain any questions concerning the clarity of this transaction.




Thank you in anticipation of yourco-operation.

Best Regards,

Mr. Felix Mandla


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