419 scam: "Mrs Marie Wambe" <africanunion105@gmail.com> From: Mrs. Marie Wambe

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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.
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 united states 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)
- "million united state 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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
- mariewa23@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs Marie Wambe" <africanunion105@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mariewa23@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:32:05 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: From: Mrs. Marie Wambe

From: Mrs. Marie Wambe
Derrier Church Sacrecare,
200 Zongo Street, Route 02
Cotonou, Benin Republic,
West Africa.
Email: mariewa23@yahoo.co.uk

Good Day ,

I make this distress call with heart full of tears to seek your urgent
help. I am Mrs. Marie Wambe , the wife of Late Major General Antonio
Wambe , former minister of defence and chief of army staff of the Republic
of Guinea Bissau in the defunct Government of Joao Bernado Viera. My
husband died during the recent coup d'etat, which deposed the former head
of state. In the wake of the incidence, I fled together with my family
(one Boy) to Cotonou Benin Republic and took refuge to avoid further
oppression from the incumbent government who have seized all my family's
properties and seized all accounts belonging to the allies of the deposed
President.

Due to this unfortunate situation, I am desperately searching for a
reliable and honest partner in your person to assist me in receiving as
quickly as possible, the sum of Nine Million United States
Dollars(US$9,000,000.00) which is the only money that is still safe and
intact deposited by my late husband in a Finance Firm in Benin Republic
on my behalf and in my name too.

I am therefore passionately requesting your kind help to move this money
out From Benin here , for safety to your country under your care. I have
solidified every arrangement to prepare Legal Documents making you the
trustee and beneficiary of this fund for a hitch free withdrawal, if I
will get your positive response to this urgent plea my good friend I shall
be glad please . As we meet in due course, we shall be discussing further
on other important issues regarding mutual business relationship and
possibility of securing a resident-permit for me and my Child in your
country.

I am not comfortable and do not feel safe staying here in Benin due to
security reasons as my life is at risk. I must confess that I repose much
hope and trust in you, helping me out of this ugly crises.

I am equally willing my good friend to compensate your kind efforts and
co-operation in assisting me and my baby boy with One million United
State Dollars (US$1,000,000.00) , if you can offer me this help. Please be
informed that I am contacting you based on trust. Please do not disappoint
me, your security and reputation is highly guaranteed; absolute
confidentiality should also be adhered to. Please! Please! I pray your
urgent assistance. Contact my Church Bishop (Bishop T ,C Bonn ) here in
Benin immediately if you are willing to offer me this unforgetable help.
Send to me/ My Church Bishop ,your full name and address, private phone
numbers so that we can proceed immediately with the change of Legal
documents that covers this transaction.

This transaction would be covered by the High Court of Justice 0f Benin
Republic for your assurance and utmost guarantee. This is Legal and Hitch
free.
Waiting to hear from you quickly please .
Best regards,
Mrs. Marie Wambe
( Benin Rep.)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam