419 scam: "Melaine Anderson"<info@mail.com> Hello!

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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- gerek.chambers@yahoo.gr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Melaine Anderson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gerek.chambers@yahoo.gr>
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 00:14:58 -0800
Subject: Hello!

Hello!
My name is Melaine Anderson; I was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I am married to Sir Engineer Simon Anderson an English Man who is dead. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of €3,665,643.30 Euros which were derived from his vast estates and investment in capital market with his Bank here in Europe. Recently, my Doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the cancerous problems I am suffering from.

Though what bothers me most is the stroke that I have in addition to the cancer. With this hard reality that has befallen my family, I have decided to donate this fund to you, I do hope you would be able to utilize this money for the said purpose just as I am going to instruct herein. I want you to utilize the funds by creating a charity foundation called SIMON ANDERSON FOUNDATION to assist widows and help accident victims worldwide.

Contact our family lawyer with this specified email address below
Barrister Gerek Jakub (ESQ)
Email: gerek.chambers@yahoo.gr

Tell him that I have WILLED €3,665,643.30 Euros to you by quoting my personal reference number Law/chamber/solicitor/rt/Mit/WILL/78bwf5200B

Remain blessed.
Yours truly,
Mrs. Melaine

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam