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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: Nelson <postnet@ymail.com>
Reply-To: hovisnelson@engineer.com
Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2013 21:52:14 -0500
Subject: Greetings

From: Mr. Hovis Nelson
Address: 105 2nd Ave. Briston, 1892
Johannesburg, South Africa
Email: hovisnelson@engineer.com
Tel: +27-839-255-721 Fax: +27-86-518-1587

Attn: CEO/MD

RE: TRANSFER OF $US38.5M INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.

INTRODUCTION:
I write you this mail from my office table in anticipation that you will understand and deem it strictly confidential for you personally. In this regard also, I consider it necessary to tell you who I am. I am Mr. Hovis Nelson, the Chief Accounting Officer Department of Energy and Mineral Resources in my country, Republic of South Africa.

SOURCES OF THIS FUND
I therefore write to solicit your sincere co-operation in order to Redeem an investment interest currently being held under TRUST with the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources in Amalgamated Bank of South (ABSA).The said investment which is now valued at (US$38.5M) Thirty Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars was originally purchased by MR.REUBEN ROSS and leased in 1984 to REGINALD AND CO.MINING INVESTMENTS CORPORATION.

At maturity of the contract in May 1999, several attempts were made without success, to contact Mr. REUBEN ROSS, from our closed investigation it was noticed that MR REUBEN ROSS HAD DIED, also every effort made to get in contact any of his relatives in whose favor the cash value for the redeemed investment could be made from ABSA bank, proved abortive.
ACCOUNTABILITY.
As the Head of accounts in the Department, I have, with my Director General (DG) carefully initiated the process of filing a claim for the money with the hope of having the Fund Transferred abroad for investment on our behalf since the original benefactor has died, we are hopeful you will agree with our intention to arrange payment of the claim in your NAME as the next of KIN to MR REUBEN ROSS.

We require that you let us prepare and file the claim for the money from this Department indicating your name as the appointed beneficiary of the FUND. Upon approval of the payment of this claim, you will be paid (US$38.5M) Thirty Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars. Furthermore, since the money will be paid directly into a bank account to be nominated by you, you will have the responsibility to ensure that we receive our share of the money which I and my colleague have decided.

DISBURSEMENT/SHARING OF THE MONEY.
We will have 70% while you will keep 30% as your personal commission. I have to assure you however, that we are to make the payment of the Fund possible provided you are ready to meet with us and give us a very strong.

GUARANTEE:
That my share of the fund will be secured in your Hands and that you would not betray our trust in making the transfer of the Fund into your Bank account.

PRIVACY NATURE OF THE BUSINESS.
This is a very safe and risk-free involvement as it is not prone to any enquiry since we are all active partners and will not want to lose our positions in Government and the Department. Meanwhile I demand that you keep this transaction very Private and Confidential in view of our personal involvements. Full details of the processes for the claim will be provided as soon as we receive your response AND acceptance to be part of this agreement.

I expect the immediate indication of your interest (By Phone or E-mail) kindly adopt and treat accordingly.

Best regards,

Mr. Hovis Nelson

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