419 scam: "Mrs. Ruth"<helcolll@gmail.com> Hello?'

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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:
- "huge amount of money" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- ruthdo2@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Ruth" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ruthdo2@aim.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 00:02:13 +0100
Subject: Hello?'

Hello,
I am Mrs. Ruth Cole, of (Appva) Peace Keepers stationed in Iraq, Due to the financial melt down, I have a proposal for you, and it will be of immense benefit to both of us. I am in possession of huge amount of money, the funds were found in a container here in Iraq, there is no trace up till now, before I go further please see confirmation news from bbc below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
http://www.jonathanforeman.com/military/nyp_iraq/04192003_chest.html

I want to know if you will be capable of receiving these funds, I will send you further details/information as soon as i receive your response, Note that if we both collaborate and share the proceeds 60/40. Your part would be to receive the funds as the beneficiary and I will prepare the required documents and in just day's the funds would be transferred to you. Please reply this mail stating full name, age and phone details, and country of residence if interested. So I can start the claims process as we build a mutual trust.
Many thanks in advance as I look forward to our partnership and trust.
Regards,
Mrs. Ruth Cole.
(ruthdo2@aim.com)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam