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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: "Stella Sigcau" <ssigcau001@excite.com>
Reply-To: stelsigcau1@netscape.net
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 06:34:46 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY !!!

Good day ,

I am contacting you to front as a co-owner of my late husband's company and beneficiary of funds (US$25,000,000.00) due the company.

I am currently a high-ranking government official in the ruling cabinet of President Thabo Mbeki (South Africa). I am a widow and mother of two children. My late husband Mr Ronald Tshabalala died in 1996.

After his death, I recently discovered that an over-invoiced proceeds of a contract I helped his company secure is yet to be paid out by the Reserve Bank of South Africa. Presently the funds can also be paid out by South Africa's offshore bank in England.

This funds emanated as a result of an over-invoiced contract which my husband's company executed with the Government of South Africa. I am afraid that the government of South Africa might start to investigate on contracts awarded from 1995 to date. If they discover this money yet unclaimed with my husband's name linked to it, the government will confiscate the money and seize his assets here in South Africa and this will definitely affect my political career in Government.

I want your assistance to front as a co-owner of his company (Tshabalala Construction, LTD) to facilitate the release of the funds. I will introduce a very good attorney to assist us with the transfer process without any hitch but he will not be told my interest in the transaction as I play a very sensitive role in my government. As the contract was executed in my present government department, be rest assured that I will use my position to approve the immediate release of the entitlement. As soon as the funds is released in your favor as legal beneficiary of the funds, you are expected to move it immediately into your personal bank account in your country. As soon as you have confirmed receipt of the funds into your account, I will arrange to meet with you.

If you agree to my proposal, please endeavour to send me an urgent reply.Due to my sensitive position in the South African Government, I would oblige you to please treat this matter with absolute confidentiality.

The lawyer I will recommend to assist us will be representing our interest at the Reserve Bank of South Africa and all necessary quarters. I am reposing huge trust on you regardless of your being a total stranger. Upon your reply, we shall discuss your percentage for your assistance.

Because of my sensitive position as a serving government official, I will only give you more details of myself when we proceed further and I am sure of your sincerity.

Thank you.
Mrs. Stella Sigcau.

p.s.Reply through my alternate email address : ssigcau@netscape.net

Honesty and transparency. They are my best work tools.


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Confidentiality Notice: The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be the subject of legal privilege. It is intended solely for the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify me immediately. You are hereby placed on notice that any copying, publication or any other form of dissemination of this e-mail or its contents is prohibited.

This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.

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