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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: "Albert T. Mapella" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <at.mapella@blumail.org>
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2012 02:03:25 +0200
Subject: Warm Greetings.

From: Mr. Albert T. Mapella
Johannesburg, South Africa
Phone: +27-78-043-8018.
Email: am.albertmapella@gmail.com
 
Dear Sir / Madam,
 
First, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction. I am a high placed official working with Department of Mineral and energy South Africa. I am in need of a silent foreign partner whose identity can be using to transfer the sum of (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S. dollars) only. (US$10,500,000.00) this fund accrued legitimately to as an over invoice money from the soccer city stadium which hosted the opening and closing ceremony of 2010 world cup.
 
The fund is presently waiting to be remitted from a local bank here in South Africa to any overseas beneficiary account confirmed by you as associate/receiver. By virtue of my positions as civil servants in my country, I cannot acquire this money in my name because as high placed civil servants, I am 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. I am here to look for an overseas silent partner who could work with me to facilitate transfer of this fund for our mutual benefit, hence the reason for this letter, what I am requesting from you is:
 
(1) To be our silent partner and receive the funds as the sole benefactor to the contract amount which we shall secure all legal documentation to authenticate our claim.
 
(2) Provide a private telephone and fax number for easy communication under your control.
 
(3) Receive the funds as the beneficiary, take out your commission and keep the rest of the money until I arrive there to meet you after the transfer is completed.
 
My proposal is that after you receive the funds, it would be shared as follows: (1) 30% to you as commission for your co-operation and assistance in facilitating the transfer, while the remaining 65% belongs to me while 5% will be for any expenses incurred at the time of this transaction by both parties. You will be free to take out your commission immediately after the money hits 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/lucrative ventures in your country for an additional 3%.
 
However, this is optional, and if it is not convenient for you to assist me with investing the money, we can end our cooperation after you make available to us our part of the money. The transaction, although discrete, is legitimate and the money will be transferred successful with all necessary back-up official documents showing legitimate source/origin of fund. The transfer will be affected 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 return mail through my alternate Email: am.albertmapella@gmail.com
 
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Albert T. Mapella
 
 

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