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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: mary62jones@yahoo.co.in
Date: Sun, 06 Aug 2006 08:06:04 -0800
Subject: Hi, It Mary.

Dear Friend,

My name is Mrs. Mary Jones.
I am the above named person from Kuwait.
I was married to Dr Jerage Jones who worked with Kuwait embassy in
Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2000. We only have one child. My husband died after a brief illness. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $11.2Million (Eleven million, Two Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars) with a finance/security company in SPAIN. Presently, this money is still with the Security Company.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I have few time on Earth, due to cancer problem.
Having known my condition I decided to look for a reliable family or individual that will help my Son invest this fund and look after him until he is capable of handling the investment him self.
After the Death of my late husband, his relative wanted to inherit all my husbands properties and investments. That is why we moved to South Africa, where we are refugees now.
I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers.

I'm Really in need of Trust worthy family or individual, that will help with this transaction and help look after my Son in case anything happen to me.

If you are willing to assist my boy and I, please reply as soon as possible by notifying your interest.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here.

What will be your percentage?

Hoping to hear from you.

Yours Faithfully

Mary Jones.
Please reply to marriajones@aim.com



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