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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: SMITH TODD <smithtod105@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2021 06:11:31 +0200
Subject: URGENT.


FROM: MR. SMITH TODD
ATTN: SIR/MADAM
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL



Compliment of the day, May I have the pleasure of introducing myself? I am
Mr. Smith Todd, a senior staff and chairman of Tender Board Committee on
the award of contracts in Department of Works and Housing here in South
Africa. I got your contact E-mail address through the internet in my search
to find a trustworthy person on whom I can repose confidence for colossal
international money transaction.


My aim of sending this "business proposal" to you is to solicit for your
assistance and co-operation to transfer some huge amount of fund into your
account overseas. Therefore, this communication should be held in high
confidence.


I wish to transfer into a safe and secured account overseas, the sum of
Twenty Five Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$25.5
Million) which is over-invoiced amount from contracts we awarded to foreign
contractors who have been duly paid on completion of their various
contracts. This money right now is in a coded account in the Reserve Bank
of South Africa.

However, by virtue of my position as civil servants, I cannot acquire these
funds in my name or in the names of companies here in South Africa. I
therefore asked on trust and sincerity to look for a reliable international
outfit partner abroad into whose account the sum of US$25.5 Million would
be transferred. We will compromise the sharing ratio on acceptance of my
proposal.


If you are interested in this deal, I will require some information’s from
you in order to affect the transfer of the money. Please, be informed that
we shall commence processing of claims of payment once I receive your
interest from you, and the funds will get into your account within Five (5)
working days by Telegraphic Transfer (T.T).




Note that this transaction is 100% risk free. Do acknowledge the receipt of
this letter by indicating your interest in the transaction and also
including your direct contact details such as your telephone and fax
numbers for easy communication regarding this transaction. Every further
communication should be on my private email: *smithtodd725@gmail.com
<smithtodd725@gmail.com>*




Best Regards


Mr. Smith Todd

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