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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: "maryam_m_odinga" <maryam_m_odinga@terra.com.mx>
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 10:36:23 -0600
Subject: From Maryam


>From maryam mentu
I'm girl of 22 years old

And its A Good Thing of knowing you Which I believe
you will be of great assistants to me that will make
the beginning of never-ending family relationship.

I hope that this proposal will not be an inconvenience or embarrassment to you.

I must not hesitate to confide in you this simple and sincere business.

My name is MARYAM , I am 22 years of age, the only daughter of late Mr and Mrs MENTU ODINGA, from Nshili District of Gikomgoro Province in Republic of Rwanda My father before his death was a prosperous Cocoa and Gold merchant in Kigali, Republic of Rwanda before his untimely death, after his business trip to Abidjan -Cote d'Ivoire, to negotiate on a Cocoa and Gold business he wanted to invest in Abidjan -Coted'Ivoire.

My mother died when I was little ,and since then my father took me so special. Before his death on 12th November 2002 he told me that he has the sum of Eight million,five hundred thousand United State
Dollars.(USD$8.500.000) deposited in a security company in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire, that he wanted to use his fund to invest his cocoa business in Ivory Coast.

After the burial of my late father i came down to Abidjan and went to the security company where the fund is deposited with all the documents regarding to the deposit of the fund that was given to me by my
late father. I am just 22 years old and a university undergraduate
and really don't know what to do.Now I want you to help me claim and transfer the fund for investment in your country because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here
in Ivory coast.

The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life.
I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards.Your suggestions and ideas will be highlyregarded.
Now permit me to ask these few questions:
1. Can you honestly help me.

2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question
will be good for you after the money is in your
custody.

Please,Consider this and get back to me as soon as posible.
Thank you so much and God bless you.
My sincere regards,

Miss MARYAM MENTU

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