419 scam: "Mr. John Martey"<john.martey.1@live.com> Business Proposal From. Mr. John Martey

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. John Martey" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnmartey1@yahoo.cn>
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:09:43 -0800
Subject: Business Proposal From. Mr. John Martey

Dear Friend

First I must solicit your confidence in this transaction, this is by virtue of it's nature as being utterly Confidential and top secret. Though I know that a transaction of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that this is real and genuine. I have interest of investing in your country as well as seek your services in a private and confidential matter. My Name is Mr. John Martey, a senior Auditor heading computing department here in our bank.

On my routine inspection I discovered a dormant domiciliary account with a Balance of ($2.5 Million USD}.I write to seek your indulgence and assistance in transferring this fund to your country through legal means.

I am proposing to make this transfer to a designated bank account of your choice in your country for investment. At the conclusion of this transaction, you will be given 40% of the total amount, 60% will be for me.

Let me know if you can handle it.

I wait for your earliest respond to my proposal.

Regards,

With Regards,
Mr. John Martey.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam