419 scam: "MADAM ERLINDA WILLIAMS" <rootalias@dns.ichin.com.tw> "PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE"

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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:
- "search for a reliable person" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
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.
- madamerlindawills@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "MADAM ERLINDA WILLIAMS" <rootalias@dns.ichin.com.tw>
Reply-To: <madamerlind@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:17:03 -0800
Subject: "PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE"

Dearest Attention,

I have been waiting for the response of my last email to you till date, i have not heard from you again, so i decided to email and remind you again. I am Mrs Erlinda Williams and i have been suffering from ovarian cancer disease and the doctor says that i have just few weeks to live.I am from (Trondheim) Norway but based in Africa since eight years ago as a business woman dealing with gold exportation.

Now that i am about to end the race like this,without any family members and no child.I have 8 Million US DOLLARS in a bank in Africa which i instructed the bank to give to St Andrews Missionary Home in Africa. My mind is not at rest because i am writing this letter now through the help of my computer beside my sick bed. I also have 14.5Million US Dollars in another FINANCIAL FIRM and i instructed the them to transfer the money to the first foreigner that will apply after, that they should release the funds to him/her,but you will assure me that you will take 20% of the money and give 80% to the orphanages home in your country for my heart to rest. I got your email address through my search for a reliable person and trustworthy person from your country's directory.

I MADE THIS DECISION AFTER LISTING TO THE NEWS LINE ABOUT 100 YEARS OLD WOMAN WHO SECRETLY DONATE HER FORTUNE UPON HER DEATH, YOU CAN CHECK BELOW FOR DETAILS.

http://www.myfoxspokane.com/dpps/news/dpgoh-woman-donates-secret-millions-upon-her-death-fc-20100305_6410207

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8o-e-iLsUM

As soon as i hear from you, i will give you instructions and the banks information so that the funds will be released to you immediately. I did not mention the name of the banks here for security purpose as i don't know how many people that have access to your email. Once i am assured that you are the rightful owner, i will give the information as stated earlier. I will also make arrangement with a lawyer that will assist you.

Yours fairly friend, Madam Erlinda Williams.

N:B-PLEASE KINDLY RESPOND TO MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR CONFIDENTIAL REASONS
(madamerlindawills@gmail.com)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam