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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: "khumalo donald" <khumalodonaldd3@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:35:38 -0700
Subject: VITAL INFORMATION


Department of Finance and Economic Affairs
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tel: 0027 78 583 4063
Email: khumalodonald@gmail.com

URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL

My name is Khumalo Donald, a high placed official working with Department of
(Finance & Economic Affairs) in Johannesburg South Africa . I decided to
reach you directly to solicit for your assistance and guidelines in making a
business investment and transfer of US$30,600,000.00 (Thirty Million Six
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to your country.

Please I must plead for your confidence in this transaction. I and a
colleague of mine are currently in need of a silent foreign partner whose
identity we can use to transfer this sum of money. But at this moment, I am
constrained to issue more details about this profitable business until I get
your response by email, please if you can take out a moment of your very
busy schedule today to respond back to my private email below for more
details and include your private telephone number for easier and faster
communication with you.

This fund accrued legitimately to us as commission from foreign contracts,
through our private connections. The fund is presently waiting to be
remitted from the bank here in South Africa to any overseas beneficiary
confirmed by us as associate/receiver. By virtue of our positions as civil
servants in my country, we cannot acquire this money in our names. Because
as high placed civil servants, we are not allowed by the civil service code
of conduct to own or operate bank accounts outside of our shores. On the
other hand, it is not safe for us to keep the money here due to unstable
political environment. My colleague has mandated me as a matter of trust to
look for an overseas silent partner who could work with us to facilitate
transfer of this fund for our mutual benefit, hence the reason for this
email.

My proposal is that after you receive the funds, it would be shared as
follows: (1) 15% to you as commission for your co-operation and assistance
in facilitating the transfer, while the remaining 83% belongs to me and two
colleague and 2% will be used to offset expenses we incur at the cause of
the transfer. You will be free to take out your commission immediately after
the money hits your account in your country. Since our objective is to
invest the money in a foreign country, it would be appreciated if you could
also help us with advices and direction on investing into profitable
ventures in your country.

However, this is optional, and if it is not convenient for you to further
assist us with investing the money, we can end our cooperation after you
make available to me our part of the money. The transaction, although
discreet, is legitimate and the money will be transferred successfully with
all necessary back-up official documents showing the legitimate
source/origin of fund. The transfer will be effected within a period not
longer than two weeks as soon as we reach an agreement and you furnish me
with a suitable response indicating your interest for processing the
transfer. I plead with you on one issue, whether you are interested or not,
kindly do not expose this information to any one else. I confirm that the
transaction is legitimate and without any risks either to us or yourself.
Please, give me your response immediately by returning this mail through my
alternative email address. khumalodonald@yahoo.com

Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Khumalo Donald
Tel: 0027 78 583 4063

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