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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: "Dr. David Tenza" <davidtenza@unionplus.net>
Reply-To: tenza21@inmail24.com
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2006 16:43:59 +0200
Subject: Confidential Mail {Can you Assist?}


My name is Dr. David Tenza, Director of Projects; South Africa Department of Minerals & Energy. I am making this contact with you based on the committee's need for an individual/company who is willing to assist us with a solution to a funds transfer.
In unfolding this proposal, I want to count on you, as a respected and honest person to handle this transaction with sincerity, trust and confidentiality. I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the deal described hereunder for the benefit of all parties and hope you will keep it as a top secret because of the nature of this transaction.

Within the Department of Minerals & Energy where I work as a Director of Projects and with the co-operation of two other top officials, we have in our possession as overdue payment bills totaling Forty-Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand U.S Dollars (US$47,500,000.00) which we want to transfer abroad with the assistance and co-operation of a foreign company/individual to receive the said funds on our behalf or a reliable foreign non-company account to receive such funds.

More so, we are handicapped in this circumstance, as the South Africa Civil Service Code of Conduct does not allow us to operate offshore account hence your importance in the whole transaction.

This amount forty Seven Million five hundred thousand represents the balance of the total contract value executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting firm Which we the officials over-invoiced deliberately. Though the actual contract cost has been paid to the original contractor, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount which we have in principles gotten approval to remit by Telegraphic Transfer (T.T) to any foreign bank account you will provide by filing in an application through the Justice Department here in South Africa for the transfer of rights and privileges of the former contractor to you.

I have the authority of my partners involved to discuss on the modalities of sharing with you. Your share of the entire sum will be 30% US$14,250,000.00 (Fourteen Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars, 67% US$31,825,000.00 (Thirty-One Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand United States Dollars) for us and 3% US$1,425,000.00 (One Million, Four Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand United States Dollars) for taxation and miscellaneous expenses.

The business itself has a minimal risk factor; on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality. Also, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me.

I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation. For absolute confidentiality, I will implore you to reply to this e-mail, tenza21@inmail24.com

You can also reach me via my Direct Telephone +27-767-511-712 or Fax +27-11-507-5901 Numbers, to entertain any questions concerning the clarity of this transaction.

Thank you in anticipation of your co-operation.

Best Regards,
Dr.David Tenza.

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