419 scam: Dearest One,

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From:
Reply-To: arth01@cantv.net
Date:
Subject: Dearest One,

Dearest One,

I am Madam Mendoza Cardenas, a native of Philippine nationality. I would Like
to have a long lasting and confidant business relationship with you if
possible entrusting my partner life time fortune into your possession.
As now I am broken hearted and needs someone to trust, without remembering
my past and forsaken experiences from close confidants and family.
I need someone who would take me for whom I am and as a life time partner.

Well, from your profile I believe in me that you ought to be a very honest
person. I would like to give you a brief description of my life.
I am the Secretary of senator Antonio Fuentes Trillanes, who was arrested and
since detained by the government forces on the 29th day of November 2007.
You may wish to update yourself with more information of my Boss official
pictures and news about my partner here:
(http://www.worldpress.org/Asia/3007.cfm).

But not quite long, I was also arrested along with my Boss, now I have
been released. All I want from you is to assist me make claims of some
funds, he did
deposited in China, the Amount being deposited is much about 6.2 million USD.

All I want from you is honesty and sincerity, as soon as this money is
claimed by you, I will advise you on how to wire some money to me
to enable me pay off the chief justice for his demand in getting my
partner out of prison. And then fly over to meet you.
I wait your reply for more details.
Sincerely yours,

Madam Mendoza Cardenas

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam