419 scam: "Mrs Maria Grant"<info@socialworker.net> GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS 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:
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "mariagrant@socialworker.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs Maria Grant" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mariagrant@socialworker.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2013 08:34:59 +0530
Subject: GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

DEAR BELOVED

GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

I AM MRS MARIA GRANT FROM ISRAEL . A WIDOW TO LATE FRANCIS GRANT. I AM 55 YEARS OLD. I AM A GOOD CHRISTIAN SUFFERING FROM LONG TIME CANCER OF THE BREAST.

FROM ALL INDICATION MY CONDITIONS IS REALLY DETERIORATING AND IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT I WOULD NOT LIVE MORE THAN FIVE MONTHS, ACCORDING TO MY DOCTORS. THIS IS BECAUSE THE CANCER STAGE HAS GOTTEN TO A VERY BAD STAGE.

MY LATE HUSBAND DIED LAST FIVE YEARS, AND DURING THE PERIOD OF OUR MARRIAGE WE COULD NOT PRODUCE ANY CHILD.MY LATE HUSBAND WAS VERY WEALTHY AND AFTER HIS DEATH, I INHERITED ALL HIS BUSINESS AND WEALTH. THE DOCTORS HAS ADVISED ME THAT I MAY NOT LIVE FOR MORE THAN 5 MONTHS, SO I NOW DECIDED TO DIVIDE THE PART OF THIS WEALTH, TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHURCHES AND CHARITY HOMES IN AFRICA, AMERICA ASIA, AND EUROPE.

I SELECTED YOU AFTER VISITING THE WEBSITE AND I PRAYED OVER IT. I AM WILLING TO DONATE THE SUM OF $3,500,000.00USD (THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED. PLEASE I WANT YOU TO NOTE THAT FUND IS LYING IN A SECURITY COMPANY IN (UNITED KINGDOM). AS I HEAR FROM YOU, I WILL FORWARD TO YOU ALL THE INFORMATION'S YOU WILL USE TO GET THIS FUND RELEASED TO YOU FROM THE SECURITY COMPANY AND TO BE TRANSFERRED TO YOU.

I HONESTLY PRAY THAT THIS MONEY WHEN TRANSFERRED TO YOU WILL BE USED FOR THE SAID PURPOSE, BECAUSE I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT WEALTH ACQUISITION WITHOUT CHRIST IS VANITY. MAY THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS, THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

I await your urgent reply. You can contact me through my private email address: mariagrant@socialworker.net

Yours Sister In Christ,

Mrs. Maria Grant.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam