419 scam: Mercy Edward <mercy_edward@outlook.com> God bless you.

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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:
- "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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Mercy Edward <mercy_edward@outlook.com>
Reply-To: Mercy Edward <mercyedward3@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 05:07:44 +0900 (JST)
Subject: God bless you.

Remain Bless for Accepting this divine work of God

Address: Rue De La Princess L /G 152 Cocody
Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire.

Dear beloved in the lord

I'm Mrs. Edward Mercy , I 'm married to the late Mr. Stephen Edward , a citizen of Kuwait . He was a respectable business tycoon in Ivory Coast for many years before dying in his business trip to France in 2008 , after a brief illness

When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of Two Million Six Hundred thousand United States Dollars in a Financial/Storage firm in Coted'Ivoire.

Recently my doctor confirmed to me that I have oesophageal and stomach cancers and that i have just some couple of months to live. the one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness, Having known my condition I decided to donate this money to a trustworthy individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.

I want a honest person that will use this fund at least 85% for orphanage, hospitals, schools, and propagation of the work of the almighty God.If you have the interest of helping the less privileged in your heart and wish to extend your Godly help to these people in the society and be blessed, do not respond to this email at your convenience with your details as follows;
Your full name:........, your Address:....., Country:.........., Age:........, Tel:........

God bless you.
Mrs.Mercy Edward

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam