419 scam: "Mr John Graham" <martinlukas@latinmail.com> I am expecting to hear from you!!

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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:
- "million united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr John Graham" <martinlukas@latinmail.com>
Reply-To: martinsimaa5577@latinmail.com
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:39:24 -0500 (PET)
Subject: I am expecting to hear from you!!

Mr John Graham,

Holland Amsterdam

I am Mr John Graham, I wish to seek for your assistance in a financial
transaction, however, is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you
to honor my request against your will. Your profile pushed me to send you
this mail; I am the Son of late Dr. and Mrs. Nerd Graham. My father was a
highly reputable business man (supplier of agro allied material and
general merchandise) he operated in the Middle East during his days. It is
sad to say that he passed away in one of his trips to the UK.

Although his death was linked or rather suspected to have been
masterminded by one of our uncles who travelled with him at that time. But
God knows the truth! My mother died when I was a little boy, and since
then my father took me so special. Before his death in 2008, he told me
about a safe he concealed the sum of Thirty Eight Million United State
Dollars. ($38,000,000.00 USD) deposited with a large investment & Security
Firm in Holland Amsterdam.

The safe was disguised & declared as Family Personal Belongings instead of
the real content money, by this way the company does not know the true
content of the safe as money but family personal belongings. I have in my
possession the deposit Receipt which the company gave to my late father on
the day he made the deposit with the security firm in Holland Amsterdam. I
really don't know what to do than to seek your assistance in claiming
these funds on my behalf.

I have been through a lot of hard times here in Holland Amsterdam, hidden
for my life. The death of my father has brought sorrows to my life. I am
in a sincere desire of your assistance in this regards. Your suggestions
and ideas will be highly appreciated. Will you permit me to ask these few
questions:-

1. Can you honestly and willingly help me in this transaction?

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

Please, read through and kindly get back to me as soon as possible.

My sincere regards,

Mr John Graham

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam