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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: "Mr.Erika Kyrstof" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <domaemrerikakyrstof@yandex.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2017 14:00:22 +0100
Subject: Department of Finance and the South African Reserve Bank

Dear Sir / Madam,
 
 
How are you??we found out that criminals in Nigeria are using fake names to fraud people,because of this government of NIGERIA set out this office to see to clients payment and also said that no one should attend to Nigeria scam emails anymore.
 
 
It is my great pleasure to write you this letter.Within the Department of Minerals and Energy where I work as a Director of Audit and Project Implementation, I have in my possession an overdue payment in US funds. The funds Said Represent Certain percentage of the total contract value executed on behalf of my Department by the foreign contracting firm, Which, I the official over-invoiced to the amount of US$50,000, 000.00 (Fifty Million United States Dollars). Though the actual contract cost Has Been paid To the original contractor, leaving the excess balance unclaimed.
 
Since the present Government is determined to pay foreign contractors all debts Owed, so to maintain the good relationship with foreign Governments and non-government agencies, we included our bills for approvals with the Department of Finance and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). I am seeking your assistance to front the beneficiary of the unclaimed funds, Since I am not allowed to operate foreign accounts.Details and change of beneficiary information upon application for claim to reflect payment and approvals will be secured on behalf of you/your Company. I have to propose that should you be willing to assist me in this transaction your share as compensation will be (35%), I receive (60%) and the balance of
(5%) for taxation and miscellaneous expenses incurred during the transfer process.
 
Direct Email Address: -- domaemrerikakyrstof@yandex.com
 
Regards,
 
Mr.Erika Kyrstof

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