419 scam: "MRS. WICKER E. MENENDEZ"<mrsmenendez1@live.com> 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 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)
- "back to me via my private e-mail" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
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.
- mrsmenendez@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS. WICKER E. MENENDEZ" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsmenendez@aim.com>
Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 21:54:56 -0700
Subject: GREETINGS

Greetings,

My name is Mrs. Wicker E. Menendez, widow to late Dr. Nelson A.
Menendez, former owner of Petroleum & Gas Company, here in Kuwait. I am
72years old, suffering from long time Cancer of the breast. From all
indications my condition is really deteriorating and it’s quite
obvious that I won't live more than 4 weeks according to my doctors. This
is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. I don’t want
your pity but I need your trust.

My late husband died early last year from Heart attack, and during the
period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child. My late husband
was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and
wealth.The doctor has advised me that I will not live for more than 4
weeks,so I have now decided to spread all my wealth, to contribute
mainly to the development of charity in Africa, America, Asia and
Europe.Am sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail. I found your e-mail
address in the web directory, and I have decided to contact you, but if
for any reason you find this mail offensive, you can ignore it and
please accept my apology.

Before my late husband died he was major oil tycoon, in Kuwait and
deposited(Twenty Million Dollars) in a finance company in Europe some years ago, thats
all I have left now, I need you to collect this funds and distribute it
yourself to charity .so that when I die my soul can rest in peace. The
funds will be entirely in hands and management. I hope God gives you
the wisdom to touch very many lives that is my main concern. 40% of this
money will be for your time and effort, while 60% goes to charity.

You can get back to me via my private e-mail: mrsmenendez@aim.com

God bless you.

MRS. WICKER E. MENENDEZ.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam