419 scam: "Mrs. Mary Marshal"<info@mail.com> Will/Mrs Mary

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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned 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: "Mrs. Mary Marshal" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mm387134@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 02:42:49 +0100
Subject: Will/Mrs Mary

Dear,

On the 5th of February, 2003, my husband, Chief Harry Marshal was murdered in our Abuja resident. Before the death of my husband, he was the Vice Chairman of
the All Nigerian People's Party (ANPP) in Nigeria. This is a political party that contested with the present ruling Party, People's Democratic Party, (PDP)
that the present President won on.

Since the death of my husband, I have been suffering from Cancer of the breast which has caused my family great pains; I have never had time to take care of my children. I am writing this letter to you from the hospital, I need your assistance and sincerity.

My late husband's lawyer, Bar John Okafor summoned the family and read out the Will of my late husband, which part of it stated that my husband has a financial deposit with a security company in London and other fixed assets in Nigeria which am left with to train my two kids and also invest in your country.

You can find details of the killings on these websites:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2821299.stm
http://english.people.com.cn/200304/09/eng20030409_114815.shtml
http://www.ngex.com/personalities/voices/starbaluko030603.htm
http://www.dawodu.com/aluko34.htm

The lawyer suggested looking for a reliable person to be in possession of the fund as I was advised not to leave the country pending when the culprits who
killed my husband are brought to book. But I refused as I want to get a trusted person to handle the fund for me as this is what is left for me to train my two kids. I am not asking you for money; rather trust and honesty are what I need from you.

I will like to get your response; I will forward your information to the lawyer as he shall advice you properly. I will compensate you financially for your
assistance, please treat this with passion and compassion.

I wait for your response.

Regards,
Mrs Mary Marshal

Anti-fraud resources:

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