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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • susan_shabangu_sa@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Susan Shabangu" <mrs_shabangu024@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: susan_shabangu_sa@myway.com
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 17:15:16 +0000
Subject: i will need your help urgently!

>From The Desk Of,
MRS. SUSAN SHABANGU
Deputy Minister of Safety and Security
South Africa

Dear Sir/Ma,

i will need your help urgently

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, I am MRS SUSAN SHABANGU, a mother of three
children and the Former Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy,Now Deputy
Minister of Safety and Security under the President of South Africa MR THABO
MBEKI. You can view my profile at my website
http://www.gov.za/gol/gcis_profile.jsp?id=1066

After the swearing in ceremony making me the Deputy Minister of Minerals and
Energy 1996 my husband Mr Ndelebe Shabangu died while he was on an official
trip to Trinidad and Tobago in 2002. After his death, I discovered that he
had some funds in a dollar account which mounted to the sum of US$30.5M with
FINANCIAL INSTITUTE.

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. I am afraid that the government of
South Africa might start to investigate on contracts awarded from 1998 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 definetely affect
my political career in government.

I want your assistance in clearing this money from the Financial
Institute.As soon as the fund is cleared, 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 with my
Attorney to come to your country to discuss on business investments.For your
assistance, I am offering you 4 Million (Four million 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. If you want to speak with my Attorney, that is
fine and okay by me. His chambers will be representing my interest
with you. All correspondence must be made either to my Attorney or send me
an email to my private email:susan_shabangu_sa@myway.com

I will also like you to give me your contact address of telephone, fax and
email to enable my Attorney call or 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

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam