419 scam: "MRS JOYCE AKU"<jamesakuu@yahoo.com> From Mrs. Joyce Aku,

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- joyceaku@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS JOYCE AKU" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <joyceaku@sify.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:24:10 +0100
Subject: From Mrs. Joyce Aku,

From Mrs. Joyce Aku, I am the above named person from South Africa But now undergoing medical treatment in Lagos state in Nigeria. I am married to Dr. Davis Aku who worked With Nigerian Embassy in South Africa for Nine years before he died in the year 2002. We were married for 25years with only a child. My Husband died after a brief illness that lasted for only four Days. Before his death we were both born again Christians.

Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a Child outside my matrimonial home, which the Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $9.5Million (Nine Million Five hundred thousand U.S.Dollars) with SKYE BANK PLC. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer problem i have.

Having known my condition I decided to seek for a help as my only son is 23years old and once i dead my Husband Brothers will like to hold on the fund ,Thereby leaving my son with nothing left,Therefore i seek for your help to assit me to make sure my only son did not suffer when i left this world.All you have to do is to provide your banking Details where this fund will be transfer into .My son will give you 30% of the total fund and you will also help him to buy a house in your country where he will live a better life under your care.

I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. I don't need any telephone Communication in this regard because of my health but My son will contact you as soon as your Replied this mail, again Because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I do not want them to know about this Development. our lawyer will help you effect the changes to your name as the original-beneficiary of this fund. I want you always pray for me because the lord is my shepherd my happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that wants to serve the Lord Must serve him in spirit and truth. Please always be Prayerful all through your life.

. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to hear from you.Please send your Reply through this mail stated Below.

joyceaku@sify.com
Tel.234-80-33194081 My son will Get Back to you immediately.

Thanks and God bless you.

Mrs Joyce Aku

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam