419 scam: "Miss Mary Baker " <pascale.vial@noos.fr> Have you received it?IARYFrom Youul Michael)0.00MILLIOPŒë¸"

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Miss Mary Baker " <pascale.vial@noos.fr>
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2010 14:11:00 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Have you received it?

My Dear,

This is Miss Mary Baker who wrote to you some time ago seeking for your assistance to transfer some funds into your account for church that will use this fund for orphanages home, hospital, church, school, Although we could not finish the transaction because of some little financial set-back at your end, I wish to inform you here that I have successfully transacted with a God-Given trustworthy man who has helped me and my Health in the time of needs.

I wish to tell you that I am successfully residing in SPAIN where we want to re-establish myself. I am using the opportunity to thank you who made intentions to help, although we couldn't finished up, and to you personally, I have written and dropped a check of $450,000/- for your compensation for all you have done and intentions to assist me then. This is my pure appreciation to you and I have instructed a friend in Cotonou Benin Rep to send you the cheque to YOU.

Have you received it? Reply to me s o that we can discuss some other businesses in your area as I hoped to make some investment too in your area. I need your urgent reply and current phone number so that I will call you to discuss further with you.

In case you have not received the cheque,

kindly contact:

Mr. Goodman Alex
E mail: goodalx20@ymail.com
and ask him your cheque

Best regards,
Miss Mary Baker

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam