419 scam: "Mrs.Violet Williams" <test@coloniallighting.com.au> 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:

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 pounds" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Violet Williams" <test@coloniallighting.com.au>
Reply-To: <mrs.violetw@inbox.lv>
Date: Wed, 4 May 2016 19:25:34 +0530
Subject: Hello,

Hello,

I sent you an email a few days ago, and am unsure of its arrival at your end destination. However, I would like to bring to your awareness of the urgency of my situation. Let me take a moment to write again to let you know the reason I contacted you.

I am a single mother, a 49 years old from the UK who needs to make my fortune of 6.5 Million Pounds work to provide for my son as I am looking for investment opportunities for him oversea specifically to secure his financial future.

I have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and was a Systems Analyst /Programmer. In past years I worked as Business Development Manager for an EPC company in Ivory Coast owned by my late husband, the company whose focus is on the upstream Oil & Gas market. The company was sold after I was diagnosed with a medical condition, a pancreatic cancer and cannot handle the stress and pressure of the job which provoked a flare-up within my late husband family members since I have few months to live.

Due to my situation, I need your assist to protect the financial future of my son and get your planning guide towards making a possible million Pounds oversea investment opportunities for him in your country. If you are sure you can help me handle any investment and safe keeping of the investment money in your country on behalf of my son, then do not hesitate to contact me.

Looking forward to reading from you soon.

Thank you and warm regard,

Mrs.Violet Williams.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam