419 scam: Elizabeth Benjamin <elizabethshea@ukr.net> My letter

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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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Elizabeth Benjamin <elizabethshea@ukr.net>
Reply-To: Elizabeth Benjamin <elizabeth.shea@ukr.net>
Date: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 14:31:50 +0100 (BST)
Subject: My letter

My letter

I am Mrs Elizabeth Benjamin.With due respect and humanity, I was compelled to write to you under a humanitarian ground. My nationality is Poland.I am married to Mr.Jean Benjamin from Cote d'Ivoire West Africa.We were married for 27 years without a child.I am devoted Christian and I have been diagnosed of cancer a few years ago immediately after the death of my husband,my doctor told me recently that I would not last for the next few months due to my cancer problem.Having known my condition now,I have been touched by God to donate 1.8 million dollars from what
I have inherited from my late husband for the good work of God rather than allow my greedy relatives to use my husband's hard earned funds in ungodly way.This fund is in bank in Abidjan Cote D Ivoire now.I decided to donate this fund to a good God fearing citizen or charity organizations who will utilize this fund the way I am going to instruct herein since i know i will die soon.
I want this fund to be used to help Lessprivilaged people, orphanages,widows.I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this fund, And I do not want in a way where this money will be used in an ungodly way.This is why I am taking this decision with you.I am not afraid of death for i pray God to use my good deeds accept my soul peaceful in His kingdom.I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers because of my up coming Cancer Surgery.Write me back as soon as possible so i will give you necessary details that will give you access to this fund as my condition of my health is deteriorating now,any delay in your reply to me will give me room in sourcing another person for this same purpose
God bless you

Your's Sister in Lord,
Mrs Elizabeth Benjamin

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