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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "mrs maria stevens" <mrs_stevens_maria12@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mrs_stevensmaria1@myway.com
Date: Sat, 03 Feb 2007 12:23:23 +0000
Subject: KINDLY HEAR MY CRY AND HELP.

KINDLY HEAR MY CRY AND HELP.
From Mrs Maria Stevens
Gwanda town in Zimbabwe.

Dear.

I know how surprise this letter will come to you, but I would advice that
you consider it as a request from a family in dare need of assistance. I am
Mrs. Maria Stevens of Gwanda town in Zimbabwe.

Your contact information came to me from your country's email directory
during my search for a reliable and God fearing person that can assist me
and my only 2 son, and I quite believe on my own that you can be of great
help in this regard even if I am not acquainted to you before.

This business involves TWELVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND U.S.DOLLARS ONLY
(US$12,500,000.00) for safe keeping. This fund is inherited from my late
husband who was assassinated by the president's (ROBERT MUGABE) aides in
view of taking his lands and property during the crisis which lead to the
killing and banishing of foreign(white) farmers.

After the death of my husband (A day I can never forget) I was approached by
our family lawyer who told me that my late husband had filed a document with
him which stipulates his WILL.In the WILL he specifically pointed and I
quote, Please, I wish to draw your attention to the sum of Twelve Million
Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars (U.S$12.500,000.00M) Concealed in a
Metallic Trunk Box which I deposited as Family Jewelries and Precious
effects with a Security and Finance Company in Madrid Spain with all the
documents filed by our lawyer.

In case of my absence on earth caused by death only, I wish to solicit for
a foreigner that can secure the money out of Spain for investment purposes.
I have saved this money to make the future of my two only sons from the
above explanations you will understand that my future especially the future
of my sons depends on this money and as such I will be grateful if you can
assist us to retrieve this fund from The security and Finance Company for
safe-keeping into your account overseas for our investments.

For your assistance I will offer you 30% of the whole fund, while the
remaining 70% will be kept for us under your care till our arrival in your
country. While replying, kindly enclose your private telephone and fax
numbers for our easy communication.

I waiting for your prompt and positive response.
Please read about the problems in Zimbabwe from the link below.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm

God bless you for your anticipated understanding and co-operation. I am
waiting urgently for your reply you must keep these transaction very
confidential for my life safety.

Best regards
Mrs Maria Stevens.

_________________________________________________________________
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