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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Engr. Gary Vilakazi" <bacgiang.vanthu@dms.gov.vn>
Reply-To: garyvilakazi@webmail.co.za
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2019 17:45:10 +0700
Subject: Business Investment Proposal

Dear friend,

I hope all is well with you and family. I am Engr. Gary Vilakazi Projects Supervisor under South African Ministry of Minerals and Energy Resources. I am making this contact with you based on the committee’s need for an individual/company who is willing to assist us with a solution to an overdue contract claim.

It is understandable that you might be a little bit apprehensive because you do not know me, I got your contact information from a reputable business/professional directory of your country which gives me assurance of your legibility as a person.

If you feel this may be of interest, write me back on my private e-mail: (garyvilakazi@webmail.co.za) or call my direct telephone Tel. No: +27 64 404 5420 for more details and clarification.

On receipt of your response, I will forward to you further information which will give you a clearer overview of this opportunity.

Yours faithfully,

Engr. Gary Vilakazi.

Anti-fraud resources: