419 scam: Stephanie Costar <orgzone8@gmail.com> My donation through you for the less privileged,

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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 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.

Fraud email example:

From: Stephanie Costar <orgzone8@gmail.com>
Reply-To: stephaniecostar@barid.com
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2015 15:34:28 +0100
Subject: My donation through you for the less privileged,

Greetings Dearest in Christ:

I am glad to know you, but God knows you better and he knows why he has
directed me to you at this point in time so do not be afraid Dear, I saw
your e-mail contact at your country's guest book. I am writing this mail to
you with heavy sorrow in my heart, My name is Mrs Stephanie Costar. I'm
from USA my late husband is an indigence of Benin Republic, I want to tell
you this because I donâ€™t have any other option than to tell you as I was
touched to open up to you, I am married to Mr.Thomas Costar who worked with
Benin Republic embassy in London for nine years before he died in the year
2005.We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a
brief illness that lasted for only five days.

I am 70 years and I am a missionary I have been hospitalized for over 3
Years now as Cancer patient and My Doctor said that I will not survive this
sickness and have short time to leave on Earth. I have decided to Willingly
Donate the sum of ($5.5 Million US Dollars) to charity and individual
through you for the good work of the lord, and to help the motherless, less
privileged and also for the assistance of the widows. As soon as I receive
your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank and I will send
authority letter that will prove you the present beneficiary of the money
in the bank that is if you assure me that you will act accordingly as I
Stated herein.

Yours Faithfully
Mrs Stephanie Costar
written from Hospital in Benin

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam