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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: "Deputy Minister " <susanshazxz@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: deputyminister32@live.com
Date: Fri, 09 Apr 2010 04:39:37 +0700
Subject: Deputy Minister

Susan Van Der Merwe, Ms.
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Source:Deputy Ministry of Foreign Affairs


Dear Sir/Ma,

After due deliberation with my children, I decided to contact you for your
assistance in standing as a beneficiary to the sum of US$3.5M ( Three
Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) First, let me
start by introducing myself, I am Susan van der Merwe, Ms. a mother of three
children and Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
under the President of South Africa Mr.Jacob Gedleyihlekisa
Zuma,Mr. Please view my profile.


http://www.gcis.gov.za/gcis/gcis_profile.jsp?id=3919

After the swearing in ceremony making me the Deputy Minister of
International Relations and Cooperation in 11th of May 2009, my husband died
while he was on an official trip to Trinidad and Tobago in 2009. After his
death, I discovered that he had some funds in a dollar account which mounted
to the sum of US$3.5M with a Financial Institute abroad.


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 year 2004 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 definitely affect my political career in
government,I need 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 (Seven Hundred Thousand 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 to my Attorney, I will also like you to send me the following
information below: To enable my Attorney call or reach you from time to
time,


1. Your full name
2. Your telephone and fax numbers
3. Your contact address AND Your Occupation



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,
Susan van der Merwe, Ms.
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Source:Deputy Ministry of Foreign Affairs


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