419 scam: Linda Akuma <akumalinda@hotmail.fr> i need your help

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "hundred thousand u.s 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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Linda Akuma <akumalinda@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: lindaakumaat@yahoo.cn
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:27:53 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: i need your help

Dear sympathetic one,

I will be very happy to hear from you no matter that we have never seen each other before, i am writing this mail to you with tears in my eyes because of what I have been passing through here as an orphan child .

My name is LINDA AKUMA, 21yrs a Medical Student undergraduate, from Cote D I'voire,the only Daughter of Late Mr FESTUS AKUMA who was murdered alongside,my mother and only brother were killed last year by rebels. I am Presently in a hotel where i hide my self because of wickedness of uncle's and relatives.

Before the death of my father,he deposited a sum of($7.500,000 U.S dollars.Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S dollars) he used my name as the next of kin to the money. Please I need your assistance to get this money transferred into your account for investment and to be my guardian before my uncles will get hold of me and the money. I shall forward to you with the necessary documents and the bank contact on confirmation of your acceptance to assist me for the transfer of the money into your account. As you will help me to travel and to complete my studies in your country.

I am willing to offer you 20% of the total sum as compensation of your effort after a successful transfer. May God touch your heart and use you to bring back happiness and joy in my life.Please,send me your telephone number.

Your Sincerely
lINDA AKUMA.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam