419 scam: "MRS.MARIA STEVENS" <mariastevensprivate3@videobank.it> CAN I TRUST YOU!!!!!!!

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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:
- "million british pounds" (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)
- "i got your email address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "remain blessed" (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.
- mariasteveprivate1@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS.MARIA STEVENS" <mariastevensprivate3@videobank.it>
Reply-To: mariasteveprivate1@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:23:22 +0100
Subject: CAN I TRUST YOU!!!!!!!

My Beloved Friend,

Greetings to You & Your entire Family.

Let me first of all inform you that I got your email address from an email
directory and I was motivated to mail you for a Good assistance. Please I
humbly request for your permission to go ahead so as to ensure this
contact does
not offend you in any way. My name is Mother Maria Stevens, I am 82 yrs old,a
widow to late Michael Steven, a business merchant here in London,who die in
Tragic Motor Accident in May 2nd 2008 with his secretary Miss Rosemary
whyte on
their way coming back from the meeting.
I am presently undergoing Treatments in Southampton ,England.Since
long time, i
married to my late husband for many years without a child. I have been
diagnosed with hydatidiform mole cancer and esophageal cancer that was
discovered very late due to lack of caring for my health.That was traced to be
the source of my barrenness according to the experts. I have only about a few
months to live according to this medical experts. I am looking for someone
reliable and trusted that can use my fund worth £10,000,000(Ten
Million British
Pounds) with LLOYDS BANKING GROUP PLC for the less privileges and orphanage
homes. Since i can't survive this illness. Please contact me through
this email
address immediately with. Now permit me to ask these few questions:-

(1) Can I completely trust you in this project?
(2) I am ready to offer you 40% of the total amount (£10,000,000).
(3) I am offerring 60% percentage to the Charitable home, Churches, Orphanage
homes,Motherless babe home.

I will secure all Documentations to back your claims and also as an
insider, all
the documents that the bank may require as proof from you, will be
arranged from
here which will be sent to you ASAP! I hope it is acceptable by you? Please,
consider this and get back to me as soon as possible for more details.What I
need from you now is your great co-operation and honest. Then you will send me
all your cardinal informations which the lawyer will use to write the
application letter to the bank for the urgent releasing of the fund to you as
the original claimant / next of kin to the total fund mentioned. Below is the
information needed from you :

Your Full Name:
Your contact Country Address:
Your Position/ occupation:
Your Mobile Cell / Office Tel No:
A copy of your valued identification such as international passport or
Driver's Licenses.
Your Age:

As soon as i receive this information from you, the lawyer will use it
to submit
the application on your behalf for the releasing of the fund on your
name as the
owner. Please always write to me on my private email address:
{mariasteveprivate1@yahoo.com.hk} for effective communication b/w us.
Furthermore, Please indicate your options towards assisting me as I
believe that
this transaction would be concluded within six (6) days you signify your
interest to assist me.

Thank you so much and Remain Blessed.

Best Regards,

Mother Maria Stevens {The widow)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam