419 scam: Sarah Sofia <sarahsofia06@hotmail.com> Hi

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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:

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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22555514798 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Sarah Sofia <sarahsofia06@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 01:46:01 +0100
Subject: Hi

RUE 48 ABI O1,COCODY
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER,
ABIDJAN,COTE D' IVOIRE
TELEPHONE:+225 55 51 47 98

Dearest in God,

My

name is Mrs.Sarah Sofia the wife of late Mr.Robert Sofia, we were
married for forty two years Having no family because my husband was
wealth Cocoa merchant bases Abidjan the economic capital of Cote
d' Ivoire and I had no children. My husband was killed in the political
crisis in the country on 16/12/2010, 4 years Ago. however here is the
website read BBC WORLD
NEWS(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12010412) before his death
and we are truly happy Christian family, When my late husband was a
live he deposited the sum of ($6.5 Million Dollars) six Million Five
Hundred Thousand United State Dollars in a bank here in Abidjan,Cote
Ivoire. My doctors told me that I am seriously suffering from long
time terminal cancer. The one that disturbs me most is my stroke
sickness Having known my condition, I decided to entrust this Fund Six
Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars to your hand as to
enable you utilize this fund according to God's direction because I have
come to find out that wealth acquisition without Christ is vanity upon
vanity. below is the purpose of the fund and never you betrayed me.

1. To help the orphanages
2. To help the widows
3. Propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.

Zechariah
7:8-10 and the word of the LORD came again to Zechariah: "This is what
the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice, show mercy and
compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow and orphanages,the
alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil to each other.The
Bible made us to know that blessed is the hand that gives. I took this
decision because I don’t have any child that will inherit this fund and
my husband relatives are evil people's and I don't want my husband's
efforts to be used by self acclaimed evil people's. I don't want in a
way that this money will be used ungodly way. This is why I am taking
this decision to entrust this fund to you. I am not afraid of death
hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the hand
of the Lord Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my problems
and I shall hold my peace.
Hallelujah, if you have to die says the
Lord,keep fit and I will give you the crown of life. I want you to be
always pray for me because the lord is my straight. My happiness is
that I lived a life of a worthy Christian.Whoever that wants to serve
the Lord must serve him in spirit and Truth. Please always be prayerful
all through your life and does who are willing to help me remain blessed
and Do give me urgent response to this mail without any delay,while
Hoping to hear you soon.

Remain Blessed always
yours Sincerely

Mrs Sarah

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam