419 scam: "Dr Thomas Brown" <thomasbrown@hotmail.com> CONTACT AGENT MARTINS IMMEDIATELY.

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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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348085071072 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- mr.martinsolalekan@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Thomas Brown" <thomasbrown@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mr.martinsolalekan2@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 20:15:56 -0500
Subject: CONTACT AGENT MARTINS IMMEDIATELY.

Dear Friend,

I am happy to inform you about My success in getting those funds
transferred under the co-operation of a new Partner from United States Of
America. Presently I am in Bolivia for investment projects with my own
Share of The total sum.

Meanwhile, I did not forget your past efforts and attempts you Made in
getting your winnings sent to your delivery details i.e Delivery
address,mobile number despite that it Failed us somehow.

Now contact my secretary in Lagos his name is (Mr Martins Olalekan)

Find below his contact information.

Name: Mr Martins Olalekan
E-mail: mr.martinsolalekan@gmail.com
Telephone number: +2348085071072

Ask him to send you the total $850,000.00 (EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY
THOUSAND US DOLLARS) certified bank Check, which I raised in your favour
for your Compensation for all the past efforts you have made in receiving
your winnings.

In this matter. I appreciated your efforts at that time very much. So Feel
free And get in touche with my secretary and give him your address where
to send The check to you.

Please do let me know immediately you receive the Check to enable us share
the Joy after all the sufferness at that time. In the moment, I am very
busy here Because of the investment projects, which the new partner and me
are having at hand.

finally, remember that I have forwarded instruction to the secretary on
Your behalf to receive that money. So feel free to get in touch with him
(Mr Martins Olalekan) without any delay.

Best regards,
Dr Thomas Brown

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam