419 scam: "Anita Brown"<anitab@virgin.net> Greetings

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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 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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" 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.
- anitab.brown@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Anita Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <anita-brown1@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 01:34:04 +1000
Subject: Greetings

Greetings in the name of the lord.

I have chosen you to help me donate according to my late husbands will,the sum of $12.000.00 million us dollars. My name is Mrs. Anita Brown, 70yrs old from Switzerland. I have been diagnosed with terminal cancer and undergoing medical treatment for stroke in Western Africa,where our family doctor resides.I have just about 2months more to live.

My late husband Mr. Anthony Brown worked as a global contractor for over a decade before he died from a brief illness. We were married for over 25 years without a child. I decided not to re-marry out of respect for my husband who i think unequalled in every sense. When he was alive he deposited the said sum ($12.000.00 million us dollars) in a Vault with a bank in Western Africa. And before his death,he made a vow to use his wealth for the less privileged in society and i swore to follow it through diligently.

What disturbs me most now is my illness and having known my condition,i have decided to donate the funds to an individual,better still a God fearing person who will utilize this money as instructed.

You might be wondering where I got your contacts from. I have really taken my time in searching thoroughly and the Lord has chosen you for me. I am great believer and i think you are courageous,ambitious and trust worthy enough to handle this for me. Each of my statements must not go unfulfilled reaching the unprivileged,orphanages and the needy. I do not want my husband's hard earned money to be misused or spent in the manner in which he did not specify. I do not want a situation where this money will be used in ungodly manner,hence the reason for taking this bold decision. I have already known my faith which is imminent death and i think this is the last good i can render in this world according to my late Husband's will. I know that I am going to be in the bossom of the Almighty. My happiness is that I lived a life worthy of emulation. Whosoever wants to serve the Almighty must serve him with all his heart,mind and soul.

I have confident in the lord for providing someone like you to carry out this task.Please,do not let me down and act according to my specification.

Try reply with your Full Name:
country:
State and Zip Code:
sex and age:
mobile phone number:
occupation ......
please relpy to my private mail :anitab.brown@hotmail.com
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Anita Brown.

Anti-fraud resources:

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