419 scam: Martin Michael <Martinmichael@aol.jp> Urgent Inquiry

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million 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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- martinmichael990@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Martin Michael <Martinmichael@aol.jp>
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 22:55:24 +0100
Subject: Urgent Inquiry

Attn: Sir/Madam,

I wish to detail you more about the 45 million USD transaction. There is a
sum of 45 Million dollars deposited since 2005 by late citizen from your
country. I have tried to trace any member of his family so that they will
come and claim this money but I could not locate his family members.
According to the British Law, if the account remain dormant for a complete
period of ten years, the money will be recovered by the British Government
as an abandoned funds. Now, I am contacting you secretlyÂ for you to stand
as his relative or business partner since he was a Citizen of your country
so that the fund will be released to you. You and me will share the money
equal after claim, 50% for you and 50% for me. I promise you that you will
never regret your involvement in this business.

I will give you more details after hearing from you.

Please, reply and indicate your interest and readiness to do this business
with me via email: ( martinmichael990@gmail.com ).

I am waiting for your reply.

Regards,
Mr. Martin Michael.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam