419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 us 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)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mrslerouxelsiemariaelizabet@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From:
Mrs Le Roux Elsie Maria Elizabet <mrslerouxelsiemariaelizabet@yahoo.com>
Reply-To:
Mrs Le Roux Elsie Maria Elizabet <mrslerouxelsiemariaelizabet@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 14:24:50 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Attn: I Mrs Le Roux Elsie Maria Elizabet

Â Attn: I Mrs Le Roux Elsie Maria Elizabet

My quest to find a friend and a responsible partner to bring my dreams to reality, where I took this bold step to contact you in this way and I do not want you to take an offense who am you mind because you do not know me we do not have not met before.

I Mrs Le Roux Elsie Maria Elizabet, I am married to Dr. Alan ElizabetÂ who worked with Jordan Embassy in Benin Republic for nine years before his death in 2002. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.

Before his death we were both involved in charitable services. Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which is against my principles.

When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $ 5.5 million (five million five hundred thousand US dollars) in a bank Republic Benin. Presently, this money is still invested in the bank in the Republic of Benin.

Recently, my doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to my cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to charity, orphanage or a person that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in. I want a person who will use these funds to charity fund orphanages and widows and to ensure that all people are well maintained.

I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are from, and I do not want the hard earned money of my husband to be abused by them.

As I do not want a situation where this money will be used so ungodly, where reasons for taking this bold decision. I'm not afraid of death because the fulfilled lived a life. As it is right now, I do not need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I do not want them to know about this development; as soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank in the Republic of Benin.

I will also issue you a letter of authority that will prove you as the original-beneficiary of the said fund. I want you to see the need for the less privileged. My happiness is that I lived a fulfilled life and have no regrets in life. Please note that any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another person as I said here on in.

Do get back at me at my private email address: (mrslerouxelsiemariaelizabet@yahoo.com ) for more details to proceed Hoping to hear from you soon and will notify your interest to help me help the charity ..
Cordially.

Mrs Le Roux Elsie Maria Elizabet

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