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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: "DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.roberts1@gala.net>
Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 05:24:48 -0700
Subject: Mr. Robert Martin

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES
SANDTON TOWERS,
JOHANNESBURG PMB. 12701
SOUTH AFRICA.
FROM : MR.ROBERT MARTINS
(Manager Project Allocation)
 
Email :(mr.roberts1@gala.net)
CONFIDENTIAL
Good Day,
 
I am a member of the contract award committee and Project Allocation Manager, of the Department of Minerals and Natural Resources in South Africa ; I am in search of an agent to assist us in the transfer of Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand United states Dollars(USD12.5M) and subsequent investment in properties in your country.
 
You will be required to forward the following details to me for purpose of application for claim of the fund in your favor.
 
(1) Your full names and Address.
(2) Your telephone and Fax numbers
(3) Your bank full names and address.
 
If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 25% of the total sum of Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD$12.5M) will be for you while 5% of the total fund will be mapped out for all accountable expense including bank charges and taxes.
 
Please I want you to understand that this transaction is a deal and should be treated very confidential. Thanks and God bless you as I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation.
 
Send your E-mail to my Private mailing address :( mr.roberts1@gala.net).
 
Regards,
 
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Robert Martin
 

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