419 scam: "Marie Singleton"<bottle@i2k.com> I, Marie Singleton,Need your opinion

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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:
- ",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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- aching_003@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Marie Singleton" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <aching_003@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 21:56:54 -0000
Subject: I, Marie Singleton,Need your opinion

I, Marie Singleton,Need your opinion.

Hi,

I am Marie Singleton, A Step Daughter of Ex_president, Laurent Gbagbo from Ivory Coast, presently in london on asylum. I got your contact from a web business directory on investment. Please I seek your assistance in the following ways.

1.) To assist me look for a profitable business in your country, where I can invest to sustain my living until the political crisis and my father's icase is over.

2.) To assist me purchase a living home, and further my education in your country.
Please advise me on these factors. I have $14,000,000.00USD deposited in a Finance house in Europe. Should there be a need for an evidence, or a prove of my seriousness and genuineness. I have a Certificate of Deposit as a prove of fund.

Please assist me to come over to your country for resettlement and investment. I am also ready to associate with a local partner, provided your Government will give me a Resident Permit to live in your country.

Please get back to me on my private email(aching_003@yahoo.co.jp) so I know you have received my mail to you.
Thanks best Regards.
Marie Singleton Gbagbo.
Note : this is a top secrete between you and me.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam