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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:

Fraud email example:

From: Mary Martins <marymartins86@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 3 May 2014 07:09:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Cry For Help

FROM MISS MARY MARTINS
13 BP 2448 Accra 13
Accra Ghana.

Dear Trusted One,

Best Compliments.

It's
my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I intend to
establish in your country. Though we have not meet before but I strongly
believe one have to risk confiding in someone to succeed from my
present situation and for the best of my future.

I am persuaded
to reach you by faith believing that you will accept this offer in good
faith. I am MISS MARY MARTINS, The Only Girl of late Sir FRANK MARTINS. I
am in the position of US$8.3Million which I want to invest in a
lucrative business venture in your country.

This money is of no
criminal origin as it was released from the alluvial gold dust sold
during the Regional war when my father was the governor of Sekondi
Province. I want to move this money abroad and invest it in a profitable
ventures as time is now ripe for such move.

I am 20 years old
the only Daughter of my late parent Mr.Mrs Frank Martins Native of
Monrovia, Republic of Liberia.Due to the series of continuous war in our
country for multiple years ago, there is this huge amount of eight
million, three hundred thousand U.S dollars($8.300,000.00) which my late
father kept in a STORAGE HOUSE here in ACCRA GHANA before he was
assassinated by some unknown enemies.

Now I have decided to
invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside
Africa for security and political reasons.
i urge that you help me to transfer this fund to your country for investment purposes on the followings below:

1). Telecommunication
2). Automobile manufacturing
3). Five star hotel
4). Or any profitable business that moves in your country

Now permit me to ask these few questions:-

1. Can you honestly help me as your Daughter?

2. Can I completely trust you?

If
you can be of an honest and sincere assistance to me, i will be pleased
to offer to you 25% Of the total fund for your kind and humane
assistance.

I await your soonest response. my warmest regards to
your entire family. Am hear with all the document proof of the fund in
the Bank. i will send them to you. with my pic

Thank you and God bless you.
Sincerely,

God bless you.
Mary Martins

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