419 scam: Mrs Catherine James <catherinejames27@gmail.com> Dearest 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:
- "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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs Catherine James <catherinejames27@gmail.com>
Reply-To: catherinejames130@yahoo.fr
Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2012 15:58:38 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Dearest in Christ,

Dearest in Christ,

With Due Respect And Humanity, I was compelled to write to you under a humanitarian ground. My name is Catherine James My nationality is England, I am married to Mr Peter James director J.C Industries Cote d'Ivoire West Africa.We were married for 36 years without a child. He died after a Cadiac Arteries Operation. And Recently,

My Doctor told me that I would not last for the next six months due to my cancer problem (cancer of the lever and stroke) Before my husband died last year there is this sum $3.8 Million Dollars that he deposited with one of the security Company here In Cote D'Ivoire West Africa.Presently this money is still in the Vault of the Company, Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to any good God fearing brother or sister that will utilize this fund the way I am going to instruct herein,

I want somebody that will use this fund according to the desire of my late.husband to help Lessprivilaged people, orphanages, widows and propagating the word of God. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this fund,

And I don't want in away where this money will be used in an unGodly way, This is why I am taking this decision to hand you over this Fund. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers because of my up coming Cancer Surgery. Write back as soon as possible any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another person for this same purpose, Hoping to read from you asap, God bless you as you listing to the voice of reasoning. I Stated herein Hoping to receive your reply,

Remain blessed in the Lord Your's Sister In Christ,
Madam Catherine James.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam