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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: "MRS. MARY LIN" <mrsmarylin1k@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 22:09:59 +0100 (CET)
Subject: A Letter To You

 Greetings to you & your Family.

It took me time and divine intervention to write you this mail as we have never had any correspondence before.

Actually, I got your e-mail address from the Online classified posted on the net. My Name is Mrs Mary Lin  from Benin Rep, a Cancer Patient having my treatment in the First Foundation Hospital Benin Rep.

I am well known in my community, besides, a major Real Estate Agent, an Environmental Management and a licensed Oil Merchant before now.

Unfortunately, I have been living and struggling with breast cancer for close to 18 months now though unmarried, my only daughter is 12yrs old.

Since the break of my horrible dilemma, I have gone through series of operations and still to undergo a final operation within the next few days. I am afraid because this will be my first major operation, is likely I will not survival after the operation.

Based on my last discussion with my Lawyer, the future of my daughter is giving me problem because I want my hard earned money to be invested for her future.

I seek your assistance in taking control of managing the fund and the future of my Daughter as a Foreigner. The fund was fixed deposit in a Bank also my lawyer has been introduced in every detail on how the money can be released from the Bank to you.

You will promise me that you will manage this fund very well and receive your yearly payment from the proceed of the investment while half  will be given for the development of treatment of cancer patients in your country  and  rest will remain with you for the up keep of my daughter.

Thanks very much and hoping to read from you soon.

Regards,

Mrs. Mary Lin.

NB
PLEASE, RESPOND THROUGH THIS Email ID ( mrsmarrylin@w.cn )

Anti-fraud resources: