419 scam: Christiana Smith <christianasmith001@att.net> Kindest Attention

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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.

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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.
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.
- christianasmith006@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Christiana Smith <christianasmith001@att.net>
Reply-To: christianasmith007@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 03:26:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Kindest Attention

Kindest Attention,

My name is Christiana Smith, a merchant in London , in the United Kingdom I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. As my faith lays on the edge now, I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as few close friends.

I have decided to give alms to charity organizations and those in need. I want this to be one of the last good deeds I will do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organization when I was well. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in the United States , Asia, Middle East and Europe ; they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them.

The last of money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposited of Three million five hundred thousand United States dollars (us$3.5000.000.00) that I have with Bank and I will want you to help me withdraw this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations and use it to help those in need. N/B; Kindly note that 30% of this fund must go to victims of Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, South Asia Earthquake, 50% to other charity organizations around the world and 20% for your effort and time. I cannot talk to you on phone due to my heath situation, as I am using my laptop computer to communicate with you. You should respond to this e-mail if you are interested in caring out this assignment on my behalf. Get back to me with my email address as below christianasmith006@gmail.com
God be with you,
Mrs. Christiana Smith

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What can you do when you receive 419 spam