Description

The so-called Nigerian Letter Scam is intrinsically an advance fee fraud. The fraud is also known as the "419 scam" and is operated by a fraudster, usually a member of a criminal syndicate. These scams originated from Nigeria but syndicates of other countries have become involved in advance fee fraud scams.

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Steps to follow

• Upon receiving a scam letter, all documentation, information and correspondence should be forwarded to Interpol. Interpol will liaise all matters regarding scams with the Commercial Crime Unit of the South African Police Service. Interpol's contact details are as follows:
  Tel No: (+27) 12 309 3866
  Fax No: (+27) 12 309 3003/4
  E-mail: vdventera@saps.org.za
• South African citizens and residents:
• • State whether there has been "No Financial Loss" or "Financial Loss" on the documents received and forward it to Interpol.
  • Provide your contact details and telephone number(s) or of the individual(s) affected.
• Foreign citizens and residents:
• • Fax a copy of the "419" correspondence received to Superintendent Anso van Deventer or the nearest South African High Commission/ Embassy/Consulate-General for onward transmission to the South African Police Service.
  • Furnish banking data (if applicable).
  • State whether there has been "No Financial Loss" or "Financial Loss".
  • If there is a South African connection to the "419" operation, state clearly all relevant details.
  • Provide your contact details and telephone number(s) or those of the individual(s) affected.
• Additional information pertaining to these scams is available on the South African Police Services website at www.saps.org.za where details pertaining to the operation of the scheme, indicators of a possible scam, the number of ways in which money is obtained from the victim, as well as precautionary measures are outlined.
• Progress reports will not be submitted to individuals where there has been no financial loss or where a victim is not prepared to register a formal charge with the South African Police Service and act as a witness in any subsequent court proceedings. However, it is important that the South African Police Service still be furnished with copies of the "419" scam letters for inclusion in their database.

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Legal framework

The Branch of the Commercial Crime Unit and the Minister of Trade and Industry have criminalised the 419 Advance Fee Scam letters and gazetted this in Government Gazette No 22459 of 13 July 2001 and General Notice No 1643 of the same date.

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Cost

Service is free.

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Forms to complete

There are no forms to complete.

NB: It is important to indicate on the documentation if a financial loss was incurred.

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Contact details