419 scam: Mrs Grace smith <smith.grace52@gmail.com> The message could be strange but real

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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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 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)
- ",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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- smith.grace9@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs Grace smith <smith.grace52@gmail.com>
Reply-To: smith.grace5275@yahoo.com.tr
Date: Sun, 08 Aug 2010 23:12:50 +0700
Subject: The message could be strange but real

Kindest Attention:

My name is Mrs Grace smith, I am from Portugal.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. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous,I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for.
But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived.

I got your contact from my personal search into the internet and was inspired to seek your co-operation,
I want you to help me clear this Consignment ( Money ) that is already in an Asset Management Company Abroad, which was shipped through a courier agent. The content of the package is $20,000,000.00 all in $100 bills but the courier company does not know that it is money that I have in the consignment. All I want you to do for me now is to act as my Nominated Beneficiary ( NEXT OF KIN ) that will make the claim of the consignment on my behalf.Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as few close friends. I want God to be merciful to
me and accept my soul so, I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be
one of the last good deeds I do on earth.

So far, I have Distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E,Somalia and Malaysia.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 Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to themselves.Hence, I do not trust
them any more,as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them. The last of my money which no one
knows of is the huge cash deposit of Twenty Million United States Dollars ($20,000,000,00) all in $100 bills that I have with an Asset Management Company Abroad. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations.

l will give you more details when i get your reply to this mail.

NB : Please send your reply to < smith.grace9@gmail.com > for security reasons.

Thanks
Mrs: Grace smith

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam