Scam Checker Best File Reports Online Busters

Have you ever been scammed? Fraud? Ripped off? World Wide Web or Internet Services (Emails) are the popular way for them to deceive people. Let the world know about this kind of scams. You are not powerless. We can help each other track them down. Just feel free to report a site which is obviously been scamming. Let the world know which is genuine and a fake site or product. Don’t be fooled, in the next couple of days there will be NO bad customer service or cheatings. ScamChecker.com is an online scam busters, Scam reported is automatically sent to the growing network of 300,000 journalists all over the world. Scam that is filed is distributed out to the local authorities including FBI, CIA, Interpol and other professionals such as lawyers. Think about it, don’t get easily be fooled your decision to report the scam prevents others to fall the same trap.

History of Scam

1920: The Ponzi scheme Charles Ponzi planned to arbitrage postal coupons–buying them from Spain and selling them to the U.S. Postal Service at a profit. To raise capital, he outlandishly promised investors a 50% return in 90 days. They naturally swarmed in, and he paid the first with cash collected from those coming later. He was imprisoned for defrauding 40,000 people of $15 million.

1929: Albert Wiggin In the summer of 1929, Wiggin, head of Chase National Bank, cashed in by shorting 42,000 shares of his company’s stock. His trades, though legal, were counter to the interests of his shareholders and led to passage of a law prohibiting executives from shorting their own stock.

1930: Ivar Krueger, the Match King Heading companies that made two-thirds of the world’s matches, Krueger ruled–until the Depression. To keep going, he employed 400 off-the-books vehicles that only he understood, scammed his bankers, and forged signatures. His empire collapsed when he had a stroke.

1938: Richard Whitney Ex-NYSE president Whitney propped up his liquor business by tapping a fund for widows and orphans of which he was trustee and stealing from the New York Yacht Club and a relative’s estate. He did three years’ time.

1961: The electrical cartel Executives of GE, Westinghouse, and other big-name companies conspired to serially win bids on federal projects. Seven served time–among the first imprisonments in the 70-year history of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

1962: Billie Sol Estes A wheeler-dealer out to corner the West Texas fertilizer market, Estes built up capital by mortgaging nonexistent farm gear. Jailed in 1965 and paroled in 1971, he did the mortgage bit again, this time with nonexistent oil equipment. He was re-jailed in 1979 for tax evasion and did five years.

1970: Cornfeld and Vesco Bernie Cornfeld’s Investors Overseas Service, a fund-of-funds outfit, tanked in 1970, and Cornfeld was jailed in Switzerland. Robert Vesco (below) “rescued” IOS with $5 million and then absconded with an estimated $250 million, fleeing the U.S. He’s said to be in Cuba serving time for unrelated crimes.

1983: Marc Rich Fraudulent oil trades in 1980-81 netted Rich and his partner, Pincus Green, $105 million, which they moved to offshore subsidiaries. Expecting to be indicted by U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani for evading taxes, they fled to Switzerland, where tax evasion is not an extraditable crime. Clinton pardoned Rich in 2001.

1986: Boesky and Milken and Drexel Burnham Lambert The Feds got Wall Streeter Ivan Boesky for insider trading, and then Boesky’s testimony helped them convict Drexel’s Michael Milken (above) for market manipulation. Milken did two years in prison, Boesky 22 months. Drexel died.

1989: Charles Keating and the collapse of Lincoln S&L Keating was convicted of fraudulently marketing junk bonds and making sham deals to manufacture profits. Sentenced to 12 1/2 years, he served less than five. Cost to taxpayers: $3.4 billion, a sum making this the most expensive S&L failure.

1991: BCCI The Bank of Credit & Commerce International got tagged the “Bank for Crooks & Criminals International” after it came crashing down in a money-laundering scandal that disgraced, among others, Clark Clifford, advisor to four Presidents.

1991: Salomon Brothers Trader Paul Mozer violated rules barring one firm from bidding for more than 35% of the securities offered at a Treasury auction. He did four months’ time. Salomon came close to bankruptcy. Chairman John Gutfreund resigned.

1995: Nick Leeson and Barings Bank A 28-year-old derivatives trader based in Singapore, Leeson brought down 233-year-old Barings by betting Japanese stocks would rise. He hid his losses–$1.4 billion–for a while but eventually served more than three years in jail.

1995: Bankers Trust Derivatives traders misled clients Gibson Greetings and Procter & Gamble about the risks of exotic contracts they entered into. P&G sustained about $200 million in losses but got most of it back from BT. The Federal Reserve sanctioned the bank.

1997: Walter Forbes Only months after Cendant was formed by the merger of CUC and HFS, cooked books that created more than $500 million in phony profits showed up at CUC. Walter Forbes, head of CUC, has been indicted on fraud charges and faces trial this year.

1997: Columbia/HCA This Nashville company became the target of the largest-ever federal investigation into health-care scams and agreed in 2000 to an $840 million Medicare-fraud settlement. Included was a criminal fine–rare in corporate America–of $95 million.

1998: Waste Management Fighting to keep its reputation as a fast grower, the company engaged in aggressive accounting for years and then tried straight-out books cooking. In 1998 it took a massive charge, restating years of earnings.

1998: Al Dunlap He became famous as “Chainsaw Al” by firing people. But he was then axed at Sunbeam for illicitly manufacturing earnings. He loved overstating revenues–booking sales, for example, on grills neither paid for nor shipped.

1999: Martin Frankel A financier who siphoned off at least $200 million from a series of insurance companies he controlled, Frankel was arrested in Germany four months after going on the lam. Now jailed in Rhode Island–no bail for this guy–he awaits trial on charges of fraud and conspiracy.
2000: Sotheby’s and Al Taubman The world’s elite were ripped off by years of price-fixing on the part of those supposed bitter competitors, auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Sotheby’s chairman, Taubman, was found guilty of conspiracy last year. He is yet to be sentenced.


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Top 10 Internet Scams 

Advancement of technology is really fast improving. But are we really safe and secured upon using it for our daily basis in life? The truth is for some that is really computer literate, that they know themselves that they are safe but how about for some we cannot keep our mouth shut, we must inform everyone else on what is happening today, and how does it affect our economic. Scams are popular to some who has the access on the world wide web or the internet. Knowledge about everything that is happening around us is the best to keep us away from troubles. Scam that comes from virtual world and to the realistic world, it’s the same as long as they got money from you. Be aware of these top 10 Internet Scams:
1.        Nigerian 419 Scams

This kind of Scam is coming from the email account and mostly have an emails, in work or personally this email account will serve as the address of a person on the internet, with just a simple type on a keyboard, you can send a letter to anyone and just like that. Nigerian Scam is a fake life story that is email to you by a scammer. Telling the receiver that the sender has a really big problem about money, they wanted your help get a big amount of money in a bank, because the owner has died and the sender is widowed, an alone son or daughter, a lawyer, etc… and as a reward they will give you a 30% or half of it as reward for your help, by helping them it means that you will lend them a money or a share, so that the money is spend to get the money in the bank out of the bank. The letter is a long story that will get your heart and make you send them the money, don’t get fooled about this because they are only using you, and there is no probably a real situation like that and if you fall to pay them, you will never see them again in your emails, emails are easily can be change or discard. It maybe a tempting for those who doesn’t know about this kind of scam due to instant money that is promised, but for them tempting you is their game.
2.        PayPal Scams

There is still someone who fall for PayPal scams, we cannot blame ourselves by just looking to a site they are looking clean and legitimate site, but the truth is they are not. How this is done? PayPal scams are a popular scam, all you need to have Is a domain address or a website, and there are cheap domains around the market so anyone can have it. But for some they are abusing it so much that they are using it to deceive people. If you are searching a product and you came up of buying it in the online market that is the time you are willing to buy it. It is easy to manipulate or customize a site to make it a legitimate site, even it is PayPal, just a simple magic that will come from the it support, or web designer friend, and voila they got a racket. How do we detect if they’ve got a PayPal scam on their site, 1st if the product is too great that tempting you to buy it, good offer and packages, but the fact is their call center agent is only one the scammer himself, and the money that you are sending comes and will direct to their own pockets, and you will receive nothing on the product that you’ve purchased.       
3.        Home Scheme Scams

That’s an opportunity to work home who doesn’t want it? And the Promise to make computer money making machines without paying a dollar at first. It is accomplish by having you to gain access to a software or program that will guarantee you money without any much effort to put in. But the product will just ruin your computer and aside from that the trust that you just gave them your bank information.
4.        A Free Trial Product Scams

These are mostly come from the pop ups promo when you passed by a certain website in the internet, commonly for a free trial product or services. Mostly what they offer are the expensive products and services and they are offering it less the price, half the price, and with free trial, who really doesn’t want that product if there you are free to try it at home. The catch is if you fall for these free trial services, and if there is a free trial, you will not remember that you are once give them information or you had subscribe to them and agree to their terms. This starts when you provided them your credit card information for the handling and shipping fee trials. Usually the cancellation notice is in a very fine print that most people pay no attention to. And later on 15 to 30 days upon receiving the product you will be billed monthly for not cancelling the free trial service.     
5.        Fake Auctions or Sales Scams

With the popularity of places such as eBay, Craigslist, and other auction websites growing each day, it’s no surprise that fake auctions and fake sales would start to become an issue online. Many people use these websites on a daily basis to obtain items at a discounted price; and where you find people with money, you will also usually find scammers trying to take it off their hands. At first, it looks like an opportunity to save money, but in the end many people are left empty-handed and out some bucks. These fake auction and sales scams usually happen pretty frequently and in the blink of an eye. It’s simple. The scammer creates an ad or auction on a website, stating that he has a certain item for sale, usually something that is pretty expensive to begin with, for a very low price. The scammer knows that people will jump all over this “deal,” without even stopping to think that it could be fake and just a luring act for money. Plenty of people fall for it, making this particular scam a huge success.
 
6.        Travel and Vacation Scams

Scammers are highly aware of today’s financial situation in many countries. They know that people don’t have as much money sitting around as they did before. They know that people are choosing to give up their yearly vacation in order to make sure that all of their bills are paid. They also know that people are looking for a way out and seeking things that are often too good to be true. Anyone who plans a yearly vacation knows just how nice it is to take a week or so off work and just relax and leave things behind for a few days. Scammers know this too, and they know that if they offer someone a good deal on a vacation, many will take it. Who wouldn’t want to go on a trip for a lot less than it would generally cost? With people seeking deals, scammers are looking for steals. In the end it all boils down to money, and usually by the end of this type of scam, the scammer comes out the winner.
 
7.        Rogue Software Scams

Have you ever been to a legitimate website and had a sudden pop-up that says something along the lines that your computer if infected with viruses and worms and needs to be cleaned ASAP? This is another popular scam today as many people will fall for the pop-up and then download the rogue software, usually software that looks like it is legitimate anti-virus software that promises to clean your computer of all of the viruses. Though many times this rogue software is free, there are times when the program does cost money, and people do fall for it. While many people generally aren’t out of money with this scam, their computer is infected with even more viruses, Trojans, worms, and other things that can not only ruin the computer, but can have their private information exposed to the scammers.
8.        Online Dating Scams

Internet dating can be great for people who find it challenging to find dating partners in their daily life. Cashing a money order and wiring the money for someone else doesn’t seem to alarm many people, because people fall for this scam regularly. Perhaps the victim believes that the bank won’t cash a counterfeit or altered money order. In fact, it can be several weeks before their bank gets this information from the bank that issued the item and when this happens they want their money back. Or, perhaps when you’ve made a connection with someone, the trust level is high enough to believe that the transaction is legitimate. When the person you’ve been talking to for months seems promising, it’s hard to differentiate between lies and a true scam.
9.        Disaster Relief Scams

Recently, disaster relief scams have been on the rise. In a country’s time of need, money is usually the best donation to provide, and scammers have become well aware of this. Generally, these scammers will send out emails with a link to a fake donation website that asks you to make a donation, usually by using your debit or credit card online. However, by providing this information, such as your card number, the scammers have access to your information which could then provide them access to your money. In the end you’re out of money, some scammer has your information, and you never really donated to the real cause. Make sure you donate your money to a reliable organization, at the correct web address. If your request for a donation came through email, it’s probably a phishing scam. Take the time to research a real relief fund before you donate money.
 
10.     Lottery or Big Win Scam

Have you ever received an email stating that you’ve won the lottery in some other country, usually with a total of a few million dollars? If so, you know all about lottery scams. These scams target people with the promise of millions of dollars, which will be deposited into their bank accounts after completing a few easy steps. However, the catch is that you must pay thousands of dollars ahead of time before you receive your promised millions. Sadly, once you hand over your thousands, your lottery win is nowhere to be found, and you’re out money. Though it seems silly, what’s a few thousand dollars compared to a couple million? Money. In the world we live in today, money is the way of the world. Money is power, and people are always looking for a way to get rich quickly. Sadly, these opportunities are very far and few between. Many people will jump at the chance to get their hands on millions of dollars without thinking that it could be a scam that will inevitably leave them empty-handed. It’s a case of leaping before you look, and victims of lottery scams end up in debt or out of a lot of money.

Title.

2010 FIFA World Cup Fraud


ScamChecker.com Watching 2010 FIFA World Cup Scams
ScamChecker.com is an authorized scam buster of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and is watching out for scams that may victimize the outgoing fans of the FIFA World Cup. Including some of the bad customer a service that was reported as one of the big scam that the scamchecker.com is chasing after are the lottery bidding scam. Be aware of viral emails that are seemingly a part of the FIFA World cup organization that is victimizing people in their emails gathering donations for hunger, programs, etc. and for those emails that are saying they are the authentic online ticket purchase or travel agency packager for the said world cup. It is easy to notice if they are such a scam, 1 is that they come from emails, 2 some are deceiving emails and look so authentic to purchase some tickets, refrain a reply from these email and go to the FIFA world cup authentic FIFA World Cup Ticketting Service.

Here are the following scam news:
2010 World Cup Ticket Scam
Many of the South African and foreign fans have been scammed of hundreds of thousands of rands after purchasing a ticket that were soon later on is being cancelled because it is not the authentic or bought to the authorized FIFA agents. There are seven companies that had a big loses in this said ticket scam buying. Sasol Oil voiced out that they are one of those who loses 3 million in this scam, A firm from Bruma in Johannesburg claim that the lose 2.8 million after buying 80 tickets, the Bloemfontein trading and investment company claim which loses R107800, Cape Town based company lost R92000, and the firm from Melrose Arch also claim lost of R662000. FIFA confirmed, announced and named the Norwegian company Euroteam which is operating several websites as one of selling tickets illegally.

2010 World Cup Email Lottery Win Scam
The Email is an effective way to notify an individual person, and it is the way of scammers to deceive different people who are interested. Here is copy of the scam email letter, which is connected to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Be aware and Notified that this is a scam.

----- Original Message ----
From: WORLD CUP LOTTERY <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 9, 2006 3:27:36 AM
Subject: CONGRATULATION!!! CONGRATULATION!!! CONGRATULATION!!!
From : Lotto Manager . Universal Lottery
South Africa.
2010 World cup lottery online 2006
Lottery Headquarters: 210-211 Universal Building
Parkhaust, Balfour Unit 1440
Johannesburg, South Africa
Batch: ( 18/006/1094/LIPDA/SL.)
CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR WINNING:
We happily announce to you the draw of South African 2010 World cup Bid lottery Award International programs held in Zurich, Switzerland.
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: (7017-4162-1018) with! Serial number (MH4710019)Drew the winning NO: (80, 35, 11, 72, 90, 41 and Bonus number 1 ), and Insurance number (KISCS433/2010SNLP/2005) which subsequently on you the lottery award in the 2nd category.
Your names have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of US$2,100,000.00 (Two million, One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in cash credited to file Number (KPC/9030108308/03). This is from a total cash prize of US ($200,000,000.00) shared among the first 200 Hundred and lucky winners in this category world-wide. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our lottery booklet representative office in South Africa as indicate in the play coupon.
In view of this, your U.S ($2,100,000.00 (Two Million, One Hundred United States Dollars) would be released to you by the bank immediately they commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact us.
All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web-site through computer draw system and extracted from over (100,000,00) companies and individual emails address. The lottery programe took place to promote South Africa (2010 world cup award).
For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims are processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements (Please be warned) .
To file for your claim, please contact the Zonal Co ordinator immediately for verifications of your winning, for quick and urgent release of your fund, his contact information are as follows:
Name: Mr. OWEN DOUGLAS
Direct Line : 27 83 880 1996
E-mail : [email protected]
Please be informed that all winning Prize must be claimed on or before 30 days of this notification. To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your reference /batch numbers in any correspondences with us or our designated agent. Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this program that has succesfully won this competition.
Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program.
signed: President Nelson Mandela (chairman)
Molefi OLIPHANT (President)
Chief Operations Officer
Albert MOKOENA
Chief Executive Officer
Danny JORDAAN.
N.B/Call the Zonal co ordinator for urgent verification of your cliam.
Thank you for your co-operation
Susan GLADWIN (Mrs)
(P R O)
South African Worldcup Lottery organization.
Copyright 1994-2006 The South Africa National Lottery Inc.
All rights reserved. Terms of Service - Guideline
77635 476378 255667460

2010 World Cup Party Promoter Scam
Offering great opportunity is Deceiving and also known as scams. Here is a copy of the World Cup Email from a party promoter and may change if noticed by the public.

Dear Sir/Madame

My name is Chris Vibe and I have a simple question: are you by any chance coming to the 2010 World Cup in soccer, starting 11th of June and held in South Africa the Rainbow Nation?

I am something of a party promoter and if you decided to come, may I suggest you bring your whole dedicated staff including secretaries and all, for a perk/bonus of a lifetime for them.

Thing is, when you get a bit tired of watching soccer I offer you to participate in a party you never seen the like of. Party starts at 7pm.

Price USD 1100.-p/p.
You will be flown in on a private plane to a gigantic beach area with palm trees. Huge BBQ;s on the beach. All u can eat and drink incl. fresh lobster and champagne.
Crushed Mother of Pearl hanging in the air, glittering.
Sunset the size of Texas. A pier floating in the Indian Ocean with three night clubs. One with mainstream, one with rock 'n roll and one with tech-housemusic, (my favourite).
Party complete with celeb-mingling. Extra perk come midnight. CG Vibe, (me), will parade the "Big Five", lions, elephants, wilder beasts, white rhinos and cheetahs.

I will ride the biggest elephant with three lions in front of me, and perform two of my songs, " U can find love" and "Superstar", distributed by SONY MUSIC.

If the animals get out of order, me personally gonna fix it for you to enjoy watching.
I will have a gun that can stop an elephant, a whip and a dagger, Alexander style.
I will be half naked.

There will be no box office/ pay at the gate. Anyone who does not carry a paper copy of payment, your ticket, will not board the plane. Security immense.

Time slot 7Pm - flying back to your destination 6.30 am following morning.

The account number for your cash transfer is held by a Scandinavian bank and watched over by an authorized accountant firm. Please go to [SITE WE REMOVED BECAUSE IT HAS MALWARE] and check further.

Please Advise
Cordially,

Chris Vibe

2010 FIFA World Cup Ticket
A person can purchase a ticket of a maximum of four (4) tickets per match for up to seven (7 matches) and which are available for all the matches during the world cup. Tickets are available in four different categories: seats in Blue for category 1 tickets are generally located alongside the pitch, seats in green for category 2 tickets are generally located adjacent to category 1, in the corners, seats in red for category 3 tickets are generally located adjacent to category 2 behind the goals or in the corners, and lastly seats in yellow for category 4 tickets are generally located behind the goals.

2010 World Cup Ticket via Internet Purchase
Mr. Jérôme Valcke the FIFA Secretary General declared that: "The FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011 will be another step in the history of Women's World Cup. The German Local Organizing Committee is undertaking a variety of promotional campaigns, and with the launch of ticket sales today, fans across the world now have an opportunity to book their place at what I am sure will be a hugely memorable tournament."

As well as the official online ticketing portal www.fifa.com/germany2011, tickets can also be purchased via the hotline on 01805 / 06 2011 (0, 14 € Cents per Minute from the German fixed-line network, mobile phones costs may differ). Purchases are limited to a maximum of six "city series" tickets and 20 individual tickets per order. All prices include VAT, booking fees and permit the holder to use the local public transport system on the day of the match.

Where can I buy FIFA World Cup 2010 Ticket?
The FIFA World Cup 2010 is being hosted and being held in South Africa from 11th of June to 11th of July 2010. The Host Cities are being held in the Cape Town, at the foot of iconic Table Mountain, is a cosmopolitan city with beautiful natural surrounds; Durban, The city's "golden mile", a four kilometre stretch of beaches, restaurants and promenades, holds pride of place in culturally varied Durban; Johannesurg, The city is a financial juggernaut on the African continent. Pulsating with energy and drive, Johannesburg is a hub of culture and excitement; Mangaung/Bloemfonntein, the open spaces reflect the openness of its people - friendly, warm and quietly dignified; Nelson Mandela Bay/ Port Elizabeth, has a 40 kilometre stretch of immaculate beaches in a protected bay; Nelspruit, Surrounded by some of the country's most spectacular game reserves and the famous Kruger National Park, Nelspruit offers more than just a world-class; Polokwane, often described as a vibrant, busy and colourful wonderland in a sea of grasslands, surrounded by scenic mountains; Rustenbueg, In the heart of the savannah bushveld is the city of Rustenburg, brimming with natural beauty at the foot of the Magaliesburg Mountains; and Tshwane/Pretoria, rich and colourful heritage makes the city come alive with a unique blend of new and old.

2010 FIFA World Cup Teams
The FIFA World Cup is being hosted in South Africa and there will be a total of 32 teams participating worldwide including of course the host South Africa. The remaining 31 teams are being determined based on their success in their qualifying matches taking place around the world throughout their 2009 game series. These are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Cote d’Ivoire, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Paraguay, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africam Spain Switzerland, Uruguay, and United States of America.

How Do I Get my 2010 FIFA World Cup Tickets?
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Tickets will not be distributed by post. Tickets may only be collected in the Host South Africa.

If you applied online the payment card you used in your application will be utilized as the collection mechanism to pick up the tickets. If the number of the payment card that you used has changed, or the card is lost or stolen, you must notify the FWCTC.

If you applied online and paid via bank / wire transfer the payment card registered at the time of submitting your request will be utilised as the collection mechanism to pick up your tickets. When collecting your tickets we recommend that you also bring a copy of your bank / wire transfer documentation.

If you applied via the Official Ticket Application Form at a branch of FNB, your FNB Visa Official Mascot Prepaid Card issued during Sales Phase 1 to 4 (inclusive) or your Last Minute Sales Card issued during the final / fifth Sales Phase will be utilised as the collection mechanism. It is important that you bring proof of identity (South African National ID / Passport) with you to verify that you are the named applicant and the rightful owner of the FNB Visa Official Mascot Prepaid Card / Last Minute Sales FNB Card.

For those individuals who have selected a Category 4 ticket product, it is mandatory to bring proof of residency (e.g. telephone account or water/electricity utility account) at the time of collection.

2010 FIFA World Cup Football for Hope Festival
This official event of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ is organized by FIFA, street foot ball world, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee South Africa and the City of Johannesburg. The Football for Hope Festival will include an array of exciting programs for the delegations, culminating in a football tournament from 4th to10th of July. In this tournament, mixed teams of boys and girls will compete without any referees. Any disagreements on the pitch are resolved through dialogue – a method proven to encourage personal development and mutual understanding. In addition, the young people will participate in activities promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences, including discussions on topics such as HIV/Aids, football coaching workshops and cultural performances. Festival participants are selected for their contribution to building a better future in their respective communities.

2010 FIFA World Cup Official Emblem

The 2010 identity is unique, vibrant and dynamic, graphically encapsulating the African continent while more intimately dipping into South Africa's rich and colorful heritage for inspiration. The graphic figure strikes a resemblance to the earliest rock art paintings for which our country is also famous. This figure is caught in mid-action performing a bicycle kick - a style of play that captures the flair of African football.

The figure is lucid, energetic and indirectly illustrates an inherent passion for the beautiful game. It is kicking a football upwards - an invitation from Africa to other nations of the world to join the game. The actual ball is a modern representation of a football, suggesting that it belongs to FIFA. And for the first time ever, this ball that has traveled across the globe will touch African soil. The colorful backdrop behind the figure represents the South African national flag. The ‘swishes' extend upwards, from south to north, reaching out to the world. They embody the energy, diversity and fiery passion of our country, and they symbolize the rise of the rainbow nation. The typeface is an original creation. It reflects our personality and reinforces the idea that in South Africa we do things uniquely. It is playful, naïve and free-spirited. It is also bold, welcoming and friendly.

2010 FIFA World Cup South African Party

The South Africa 2010 party got under way in style last night with a joyous, colorful and truly African FIFA World Cup™ Kick-off Celebration Concert in Soweto, Johannesburg. Held in the football heartland that is Orlando Stadium, home of iconic club side Orlando Pirates, the concert featured a host of stars including Shakira, Alicia Keys, K'Naan and the Black Eyed Peas. A wide variety of acts took to the stage but the abiding theme was one of celebration for the African continent with the event broadcast across the world. The countdown clock introducing the three-hour extravaganza finally hit zero and with it came a cacophonous roar as seemingly thousands of South Africa flags were lifted aloft creating an ocean of color among the estimated 30,000 in attendance. Joining the countless Rainbow Nation colors were a broad cross-section of national flags representing every corner of the globe, as the many visitors in attendance took the opportunity to enjoy Africa’s impressive ability to turn on a party. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and South African President Jacob Zuma jointly opened the concert after the early acts. As the evening progressed a cavalcade of football stars took to the stage between performances including former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe, Franz Beckenbauer, Christian Karembeu, Quinton Fortune, Socrates and Jay Jay Okocha. Another joyous presenter was Archbishop Desmond Tutu decked out in Bafana Bafana supporter gear and who introduced a video presentation on Nelson Mandela with trademark enthusiasm. The large crowd rarely dropped their energy levels and their infectious enthusiasm was palpable. "I have been to a lot of concerts but I have never been to a concert like this," said ebullient Johannesburg resident Khensami Majola, just as K'Naan took to the stage to perform his poignant song 'Waving Flag'. "It is amazing fun; we are having a huge jam. It is a perfect presentation of Africa – north, south, east and west." The concert drew to a spectacular conclusion with Colombian pop princess Shakira in impressive form. She was joined on stage by Freshlyground for a rendition of 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)', the Official FIFA World Cup theme. Another proud concert-goer was Soweto local William Oosthuizen who spoke with pride as he took a rare break from dancing. "I am very proud and I am enjoying this immensely,” he said. “Beauty in the heart of Soweto. This is what Africa is all about. Sport has a unifying factor and it’s all about people enjoying themselves."

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Poster

The official 2010 FIFA World Cup™ poster was unveiled on 23 November 2007 following a board meeting of the Local Organizing Committee in Durban. The poster was designed by the South African creative agency Switch, who also created the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ emblem. The design beat three rivals in a public vote held throughout South Africa from 11 September to 30 September 2007. As the lucky winner in a lottery among all of the voters, South African Marilyn Rhoda was presented with a prize of two 2010 FIFA World Cup™ tickets provided by official sponsor MTN. "Portraying a country in the shape of a man heading a ball is a new idea with potent symbolism. For me, football is all about emotion and passion, which is why I was particularly attracted to this poster. It invites the world to join in the celebration of the greatest football event on earth, while highlighting the pride and passion of the African continent and her people. It represents the African dream come true. The South Africans made a good selection for the poster, which will represent their country all the way up to 2010," said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. For the first time in football history, the FIFA World Cup™ will be hosted on African soil from 11 June to 11 July 2010. The artwork depicts a celebration of the African continent as well as everyone who calls it home. The simple and yet iconic rendering is symbolic of the relationship between football and Africa and captures a sense of excitement, awe and aspiration. It also reflects the positive impact that the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will have on Africa. Africa is the "hero" of the official event poster. The unique shape of the continent almost naturally lends itself to the shape of a man's profile, while the face represents every single African supporter from Morocco in the north, Gambia in the east, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia in the west to South Africa in the south. "The official poster symbolizes the important role of football in the history, tradition and culture of the African continent. It's also recognition that football has always been an inspiration for a better future and a generator of hope in Africa. It recognizes that Africa has a football face and a football heart," explained Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee. Bright, vibrant and celebratory, the colors of the poster are inspired by the South African flag, but also draw upon the African continent. The strong yellow background symbolizes the sun as the source of warmth, energy and life. From a total of 16 creative entries, all submitted by South African-based agencies, three proposals had been pre-selected for the public vote by South African residents. The jury was made up of FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke, CEO of the 2010 South African Local Organizing Committee Danny Jordaan, Minister in the South African Presidency Essop Pahad, Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi, South African playwright and author Wally Serote, and artist and director of the Vega School of Brand Communication Gordon Cook. Following on from the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in Germany, this was the second time that residents of the host country have been actively involved in the selection of the official event poster.