419 scam: Mrs Cath Cole <mrscathcolealexdc@msn.com> Dear Trusted Friend

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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
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.
- mrscathcole@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs Cath Cole <mrscathcolealexdc@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mrscathcole@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:43:41 +0000
Subject: Dear Trusted Friend

Dear Trusted Friend,

My name is Mrs. Cath Cole, widow of late Mr. Alex Cole, former owner of PETROLEUM AND GAS company ,here in Republic of Benin .I am 58years old, suffering from long time cancer of the breast. From all indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite obvious that I may not live more than 2 months 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 hinted me that I will not live for too long again, so I have now decided to spread all my wealth, to contribute mainly to the development of charity.

I am sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail. I found your e-mail address as a person that can work for Humanity and for over a month now that I have been praying to know if really you are working according to the direction of God. And after all my fasting and prayer I am convinced, 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 a major oil tycoon here in Republic of Benin and deposited the sum of 5million dollars (Five million dollars) in a Security company some years ago, that’s all I have left now, I need you to collect this funds and distribute it yourself to charities, So that when I die my soul can rest in peace.

The funds will be entirely in your hands and management. I hope God gives you the wisdom to touch very many lives, and that is my main concern.20% of this money will be for your time and effort, while 80% goes to charity.

Kindly get back to me through this email address ( mrscathcole@yahoo.com ) if you can work for God.

God bless you.
Mrs.Cath Cole.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam