419 scam: my box <boxm6519@gmail.com> From: Engr. Godwin Bongani

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +27836911659 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- godwinbongani@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: my box <boxm6519@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2015 22:18:06 +0200
Subject: From: Engr. Godwin Bongani

Department of Minerals & Energy South Africa
142 highlands North Balfour Park
Johannesburg, South Africa.
Direct Telephone +27 836911659
E mail: godwinbongani@gmail.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

I am sincerely seeking for your confidence in this transaction, which I
propose as a person of integrity. I am Engr. Godwin Bongani, a native of
Western Cape in the Republic of South Africa and a deputy director with the
department of minerals and Energy (contract award committee). I got your
contact details from the South Africa Exchange Information On-line Service
(S.A.E.I.S) in my search for a reputable company or individual to assist me
sincerely and confidentially, which your information and profile proved
very satisfactory, so I decided to contact you immediately.

1. PURPOSE: 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 and put you through as the
beneficiary

2.SOURCE OF FUND: The said money came from an over-invoiced contract for
the refurbishment of mines and supplies in Kruger Gold Mine sector in the
year 2003 by a foreign company of Mr. Smith .B. Andreas (now deceased).
The contract which was valued at Sixty million United States Dollars was
manipulated to read seventy-six million, five hundred thousand United
States Dollars (US$76.5M). The said contract was executed in year 2003 and
the said contractor has been fully paid up leaving the over-invoice amount
of Sixteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$16.5m).
This I want to transfer.

3. REQUIREMENT: Expected in your reply for us to proceed are the following:

(i) Your direct telephone and fax numbers.

(ii) Your personal company / Work profile.

4. DISBURSEMENT: I am willing to offer you 30% of the total amount for your
assistance and the balance 70% would be mine to investment overseas.

5. SECURITY: All modalities for the transfer of this fund have been put in
place and I am using this opportunity to assure you that the transfer
process is entirely risk free and as such you should bring out your mind
and work with me.

I anticipate a favorable reply from you as a future partner in this
business.

Yours faithfully,
Engr. Godwin Bongani

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam