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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mathew K. Thmbaka" <finreconcenter@webmail.co> (may be fake)
Reply-To: finreconcenter@webmail.co.za
Date: Sun, 12 Feb 2006 17:54:32 +0200
Subject: Please Confirm

OFFICE OF THE FUND RECONCILIATION CENTER
( Financial Intelligence Center/Agency, South Africa )
South African Reserve Bank Building, Durban
E-mail finreconcenter@webmail.co.za

Dear Sir/Madam

It has come to our attention that you are the beneficiary of an amount of money (witheld) meant to be transfered to your overseas account by the South African Reserve Bank

Could you please confirm the above (stating exact amount) or decline immediately. The Government of South Africa, office of the Auditor General, the South African Reserve Bank and other agencies of Government are working on a series of efforts to pay out or transfer all outstanding funds in the Central Bank (South African Reserve Bank) and or in any of the appointed commercial banks.

Please advice on the above for our immediate action to transfer fund to your appointed bank. Contact the undersigned if you need more clarification on this matter :


Regards
Mathew Kolo

Fund Reconciliation Center
(Appointed/Authorised Agent)
finreconcenter@webmail.co.za



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