This scam has been used for over ten years and is sent out to victims via letter, e-mail, and fax. It consists of a message stating the sender has a large sum of money, usually something like 20 or 40 million dollars, and needs help transferring it out of , or some other country. As a reward for your help, the sender promises to pay you a third of the money. Once you respond stating your willingness to help, the sender explains that there are transfer fees for the transaction, and that you'll need to pay them. You get deeper and deeper into the scam as the money supposedly gets closer and closer to your ****, but can't seem to quite get there without an increasing amount of money from you.

Here's what a typical message looks like:

DEAR, First, let me start by introducing myself as Dr Mantombazana Tshabalala-Msimang,a mother of three children and the Minister of Health since 29th April 1999 to date under the auspices of the President of South Africa MR THABO MBEKI. After due deliberation with my children, I decided to contact you for your assistance in standing as a beneficiary to the sum of US$18.5M ( Eighteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) You can view my profile at my website www.gov.za click on, Contact Information, then click on Minister, and finally, click on my name and read about me. THE PROPOSAL, After the swearing in ceremony making me the Ministry of Health , my husband Mr.Thabiso Msimang died while he was on an official trip to

in 1996. After his death, I discovered that he had some funds which amounted to the sum of US$18.5M with a security and finance institution in South Africa of which I will divulge information to you when I get your full consent and support to go for a change of beneficiary and subsequent transfer of the funds into you a comfortable and conducive account of your choice. This fund emanated as a result of an over-invoiced contract which he executed with the Government of South Africa. Though I assisted him in getting this contract but I never knew that it was over-invoiced by him. I am afraid that the government of might start to investigate on contracts awarded from 1990 to date. If they discover this money, they will confiscate it and seize his assets here in and this will definitely affect my political career in government. I want your assistance in opening an account with bankers through my banker so that this fund could be wired into your account directly without any hitch. As soon as the fund gets to your account, you are expected to move it immediately into another personal **** in your country. I will see to it that the account is not traced from . As soon as you have confirmed the fund into your account, I will send my eldest son with my Attorney to come to your country to discuss on business investments. For your assistance, I am offering you 20% of the whole amount. And 5% will be for Any expenses that both of us may Incure in this transaction. And another 5%will go for Motherless babes home. However, you have to assure me and also be ready to go into agreement with me that you will not elope with my fund. If you agree to my terms, kindly as a matter of urgency send me an email. Due to my sensitive position in the South African Government, I prefer you send me email than call. All correspondence must be by email to my sons private email address, (XXXX@yahoo.com)

Mrs.Mantombazana Tshabalala-Msimang Minister of Health

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