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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: "Ivy Matsepe" <contacts@informationworld.org>
Reply-To: ivy_matsepe0000@k.ro
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 03:50:53 +0000
Subject: From:Ivy Matsepe.

Dear friend,
My name is Dr Ivy Matsepe casaburri,I am contacting you to front as a
co-owner for a beneficiary of funds (US$25,000,000.00) due for an executed
contract here in South Africa. I am currently a high-ranking government
official in the ruling cabinet of President Thabo Mbeki (South Africa). I am
a mother of two children.
This fund are as a result of the over-invoiced proceeds of a contract I
helped a South African based company secure and is yet to be paid out by the
Reserve Bank of South Africa. This funds emanated as a result of an
over-invoiced contract which Sentech (Pty) Ltd., a communications 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 2000 to date. If they discover this money yet unclaimed with my name
linked to it, the government will confiscate the money and this will
definitely affect my political career in Government.
I want your assistance to front as a co-owner of this company (SENTECH [PTY]
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 release to
your name, 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 endeavor to send me an urgent reply via email
"ivymatsepe4@k.ro"
Due to my sensitive position in the South African Government, I would
not want you to phone or fax me for now. The lawyer I will recommend to
assist us will be representing our interest at the Reserve Bank of South
Africa and all necessary quarters. All future correspondence must be made
either to the attorney or myself.
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 serving government official, I will only
give you more details of myself when we proceed further and I am sure of
your sincerity.
Regards,
Ivy Matsepe Dr Mrs.
Honesty and transparency, they are my best work tools.


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