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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: "Dr. Usman Steve" <dr.usmansteve@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dr.usmansteve@live.com
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:14:38 +0200
Subject: URGENT FUND TRANSFER


*TEL; + 27-73 000-8527**
*
*REPLY TO: **dr.usmansteve@live.com*


*ATTN: DIRECTOR/CEO**

**STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL**
*

May I have the pleasure of introducing myself. I am *Dr. Usman Steve*, a
senior staff and chairman of Tender Board Committee on the award of
contracts in Department of Works and Housing here in South Africa . I got
your contact E-mail address from an international directory on lawyers and
advisers on international business in my quest to find a trustworthy person
on whom I can repose confidence for colossal international money
transaction. My aim of sending this "business proposal" to you is to solicit
for your assistance and co-operation to transfer some huge amount of money
into your account overseas. Therefore, this communication should be held in
high confidence.

My colleague and I in the Department of Works and Land Affairs wish to
transfer into a safe and secured account overseas, the sum of *THIRTY TWO
MILLION FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS (US$32.5M)* which is over-invoiced amount from
contracts we awarded to foreign contractors who have been duly paid on
completion of their various contracts. This money right now is in a coded
account in the Reserve Bank of South Africa . However, by virtue of our
position as civil servants, we cannot acquire these funds in our names or in
the names of companies here in South Africa . I was therefore asked by my
colleagues on trust and sincerity to look for a reliable international
outfit partner abroad into whose account the sum of *US$32.5 Million* will
be transferred. We have agreed on the following sharing ratio if you accept
our proposal. 1. Seventy percent (70%) for us and Thirty percent (30%) for
you, the Account owner.

My choice of you for this transaction is basically hanged on your field and
profession, hence this business proposal. If you are interested in this
deal, I will require some information from you in order to affect the
transfer of the money.Please, be informed that we shall commence processing
of claims of payment once we receive your interest from you, and the funds
will get into your account within Five (5) working days by Telegraphic
Transfer (T.T). Note that this transaction is 100% risk free. Do acknowledge
the receipt of this letter above and forward your reply to this E-mail
address or you can call me on my private phone no*.+ 27-73 000-8527**
*
Best Regards
*Dr. Usman Steve*

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