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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: "Budeli Godfrey" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <budeligodfrey@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2015 16:00:02 -0700
Subject: Lets Invest

Dear Sir/Madam,                       
                                                                      
                                                 
My name is Mr. Budeli Godfrey. I am a staff of a government ministry in South Africa responsible for awarding and execution of contracts. I have in my possession an
 
outstanding contract payment of USD20, 000,000 Million. These funds represent certain percentage of the total contract value executed on behalf of a Department by a
 
foreign contracting firm, which was officially over-invoiced to the amount of (USD20, 000,000). Though the actual contract cost has been paid to the original
 
contractor, leaving the excess balance unclaimed. So I am in search of an individual who will assist me to transfer the outstanding amount of the total fund and
 
subsequently we invest same in lucrative ventures in his country.
You will receive this fund as an applied contractor. For your support and partnership, please reply to negotiate the fee or the percentage you will be paid when the
 
funds arrive in your account overseas. I have the surety to secure approvals with the concerned Departments. You must however note that this transaction, with regard
 
to my disposition to continue with you is subject to these terms:
 
Firstly, our conviction of your transparency; ’meaning you will not ‘sit’ on the funds when it arrives in your account, Secondly, that you treat this transaction with
 
confidentiality and also provide an account for which you have absolute control.
It does not matter whether you/your Company does contract projects, as a transfer of powers will be secured in favor of you/your Company.
 
Also, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction as what we need is a foreign individual or firm we will present
 
and do the paperwork to clear the funds. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me in any way.
 
I am looking forward to doing business with you and please email your response to me through my private email address below. Kindly provide me with your full names and
 
telephone number so I can reach you for more details and further deliberations.
Best regards
Mr. Budeli Godfrey

Anti-fraud resources: