419 scam: "Joan Gates" <joangates@zweitecommunications.com> Re: DEAR BELOVED FRIEND URGENT RESPONDS

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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "i got your email address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
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.
- joangates466@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Joan Gates" <joangates@zweitecommunications.com>
Reply-To: <gatesjoan73@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2017 05:07:52 -0700
Subject: Re: DEAR BELOVED FRIEND URGENT RESPONDS

Greeting to you.

firstly, I got your email address from a mail Directory and decided to mail you for a permission to go ahead.
I am Mrs. Joan Gates United Kingdom, married to Dr. James R. Gates who worked with Texaco Oil Company in London, before he died in a ghastly motor accident on his way to a Board meeting. My Husband and I were marriedÂ without any children,and I decided not to re-marry and presently I am 69 Years old. When my late husband was Alive he deposited the sum of $5.5M. (Five Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars) with aÂ Bank. Presently this money is still with the Bank and the management just wrote me as the beneficiary to come forward to receive the money or rather Issue a letter of authorization to somebody to receive it on my behalf. I am presently in a hospital where I have been undergoing treatment Cancer of the lungs and inability to talk and my doctors have told me that I have only a few months to live so I think the best thing to do is to use the money for charity purposes. I
want a person who is trustworthy that I will make the beneficiary of my late Husband's Fund deposited with the bank so that

At the moment I cannot take any telephone callsÂ due to the fact that my relatives (They had squandered the funds I gave them for this purpose before now and are around me I have been helping orphans orphanage/motherless homes. I have also donated some money for humanitarian needs in Sudan, South Africa, Brazil, Spain, Austria, Germany and some Asian countries. I have been touched to the good work of humanity through you, rather than allow my relatives to use my husband's hard earned funds inappropriately. I know i have never met you but my mind tells me to do this, and I hope you act sincerely.

I want you send me the following information, if you are interested as an enable that you are the right beneficiary. As soon as I receive your information, I shall give you the contact details of the bank, authorization letter and my picture with the doctor as an authenticity of my integrity.

Your Full Name,
Your Contact Address,
Phone Number,
Your Age,
Your Occupation and
Any of your identifications

Â This is to ensure that nothing jeopardizes my last wish on Earth.Â I await your urgent reply.<joangates466@gmail.com>

Regards,
Mrs. JoanÂ Gates

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam