419 scam: "Maurice Iwu" <mauriceiwu2034@msn.com> Now contact my confidential secretary

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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:
- "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
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.
- +2347083244858 (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.
- markugo200@mail.com (Mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Maurice Iwu" <mauriceiwu2034@msn.com>
Reply-To: m_iwu2@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:32:29 -0000 (GMT)
Subject: Now contact my confidential secretary

How are you today? I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting
those Funds transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from China.
Presently I am in China for investment projects with my own Share of the
total sum. Everything was perfectly done because we strike a deal with one
of the accountant who works with the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) and
she rendered a tremendous help to us. My new partner initiated this idea
and everything worked out successfully. Mean while, I didn't forget your
past efforts and Attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite
that it failed Us some how.

I have decided to compensate you with the sum of $1,000,000.00 (One
Million US Dollars) this is from my own share. I did this simply to show
you that it is good to do good things to the right people always. Now
contact my confidential secretary as i stated below Follow his
instructions:

Name: Mr. Mark Ugo.
Email:markugo200@mail.com
Phone: +234-7083244858

Ask him to send you the check what of $1,000,000.00 which I kept for your
compensation for all your past efforts and attempt to assist me in this
matter and i appreciated your past efforts at that time very much. So feel
free and get in touched with my secretary and instruct him where to send
the check to you.

Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the
Joy together after all the suffering at that time at moment I am very busy
here because of the investment projects Which i and my new partner are
having at hand, finally, remember that i Had forwarded instruction to him
on your behalf to receive the check, so feel free to get in touch with him
to send the check to you without any further delay.

Needed information’s are:

Your Full Name:....................
Your Home Address:.................
Your home phone:...................
Your Cell phone:...................
Your age:..........................
Your occupation:...................
A copy of your international passport or any valid ID

With best regards,
Maurice Iwu

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam