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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: "Henry Thapelo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <henry.thapelo@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:03:25 -0700
Subject: Beneficial Proposition From Henry Thapelo!!!

Dear Friend,
 
 
I hope this letter reaches you in good health and a happy mood. I am Mr. Henry Thapelo, a credit manager of Capitec Bank Ltd in South Africa. I need your assistance in executing a business. It involves the transfer of US$19.5 Million dollars. This funds is lying in a dormant account in our bank and is about to be returned to the National Treasury by the end of the year.
 
 
I shall perfect all legal documents in your name to make you the legal beneficiary of the funds if you accept to be my business partner in this venture. Once the funds are transferred to your nominated bank account we will share the proceeds in a ratio of 60% for me, 35% for you and 5% for expenses.
 
 
If you are interested and wish to have further details about this transaction kindly respond by sending the following information below only to this my private email address henry.thapelo@hotmail.com
 
1. Your full names as they appear on your international passport or Identity document
2. Your home and Postal addresses
3. Your direct personal mobile phone and private fax numbers
4. Date of birth and
5. Sex and Marital Status
6. Occupation and Position
7. Nationality
 
 
This is an utmost confidential deal and transaction therefore confidentiality on your part is highly needed.
 
 
Kind Regards,
 
 
Mr. Henry Thapelo.

Anti-fraud resources: