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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: "susan shabangu" <sussha200@mcdfigment.com>
Reply-To: susan011@terra.es
Date: Sat, 21 May 2005 09:59:08 -0400
Subject: =?US-ASCII?Q?Susan=92s Request?=

Susan’s Request

MRS. SUSAN SHABANGU
Dear Friend,

RE: REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

After due deliberation with my children, I decided to contact you for your assistance in standing as a beneficiary to the sum of US$30.5M ( Thirty Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only.

First, let me start by introducing myself as MRS SUSAN SHABANGU, a mother of three children and the Deputy Minister of Safety and Security in the just concluded election under the auspices of the President of South Africa
MR THABO MBEKI.

THE PROPOSAL

After the swearing in ceremony making me the Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, my husband Mr Ndelebe Shabangu died while he was on an official trip to Trinidad and Tobago. After his death, I discovered that he had some funds in a dollar account which amounted to the sum of US$30.5M with a South African bank that has a correspondent bank in Europe.

This fund emanated as a result of an over-invoiced contract which he executed with the Government of South Africa. Though I assisted him in getting this contract but I never knew that it was over-invoiced by him. am afraid that the government of South Africa might start to investigate on contracts awarded from 2002 to date. If they discover this money in his bank account, they will confiscate it and seize his assets here in South Africa and this will definitely affect my political career in government.

I want your assistance in opening an account with this SOUTH AFRICAN BANK or in EUROPEAN BANK so that this fund could be wired into your account directly without any hitch. As soon as the fund gets to your account, you are expected to move it immediately into another personal bank account in your country. I will see to it that the account is not traced from South Africa. As soon as you have confirmed the fund into your account, I will send my eldest son to come to your country to discuss on business investments.

For your assistance, I am offering you 20% of the principal sum which amounts to US$6,100.000.00 (Six million One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only)

However, you have to assure me and also be ready to go into agreement with me that you will not elope with my fund. If you agree to my terms, kindly as a matter of urgency send me an email. Due to my sensitive position in the South African Government, I would not WANT you to call me on phone or send a fax to me. All correspondence must be by email to my private email address, I will also like you to give me your contact address or telephone, fax and email to enable my attorney reach you from time to time.

Please I do not need to remind you of the need for absolute Confidentiality if this transaction must succeed. YOU MUST NOT CALL ME! If you do not feel comfortable with this transaction, do not hesitate to discontinue.

Thanks for your anticipated co-operation and my regards to your family.

Yours faithfully,
MRS. SUSAN SHABANGU
Deputy Minister of Safety and Security South Africa


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