419 scam: "Mrs. Winifred Johnson." <adams244@sbcglobal.net> Dear Beloved one in Christ

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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:
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Winifred Johnson." <adams244@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: jmrs.winifred77@yahoo.dk
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:16:11 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dear Beloved one in Christ

Dear Beloved one in Christ

My greetings to you and your lovely family, I am Mrs. Winifred Johnson, suffering from cancerous ailment. I was married to Mr. Raphael Johnson who migrated from your country. My husband worked with Chevron/Texaco in London United Kingdom for twenty years before he died in the year 2005. My late husband deposited the sum of $7, 500, 000. 00 Million (Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) with a financial institution in London before his death which I am soliciting your assistance to claim and use for the up keeping of widows and charities in your country.
I am a single mother suffering from cancerous ailment. Recently, my Doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the stroke and cancerous problems I am suffering from. I have decided to donate this fund to you and want you to use my husband efforts to fund the up keeping of widows and charities in your country. My husband told me a lot of good things in your country but is unfortunate that I have not visited with him before his death and based on that I have decided to donate the fund there for the up keeping of widows and charities.
I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives here are into radical organization and I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an unholy manner. Therefore, child of God, if you are honest and faithful enough to use this fund strictly for the work of God, your response will be highly appreciated. I awaiting your urgent reply and God blessed you as you forward your reply for more details.
Sincerely,
Sister in Christ
Mrs. Winifred Johnson.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam