419 scam: "Mrs.Barbara Cook"<babara11@hospital.us> TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERNS

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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:
- "million 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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.
- barbaradonaldcook@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Barbara Cook" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barbaradonaldcook@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2017 17:26:50 -0700
Subject: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERNS

My dearest in Christ !

May God be praised !
I am Mrs.Barbara Cook,from American,email:barbaradonaldcook@gmail.com I am married to Donald Cook of memory who worked with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation for nine years before he died in the year 2005. We were married for eleven good years without a child he died after a brief illness that lasted only four days. Before his death he was a very devoted christian and I was also devoted Christian by birth,I have been battling with both cancer and fibroid problems for years,But when my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $15 million dollars (FIFTEEN million dollars) with American Bank Presently,this money in question is still with bank.
Recently,my doctor told me that I had a terminating illness (cancer) that would last for the next four months.Though what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness, having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to either a Christian organization or a devoted Christian individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in.

I want this Christian organization or individual to use this money in all sincerity to fund churches, orphanages, widows and also propagating the word of God and to ensure that the society upholds the views and beliefs of the holy bible.The holy bible emphasized so much on the giving of alms,charity and this has encouraged me in taking this bold step. I took this decision because I don't have any child to start from and where I will stop and my husband's relatives are all Muslims and I don't want my husband hard earned money to be misused by people that call me an unbeliever.I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an unholy manner hence the reason for taking this bold decision. I know that after death I will be with God the most high and the most merciful one.I don't need any telephone communications but will only give you the contact of my lawyer Barrister Elvis Morgan because he is the one who is going to assist you in making you the beneficiary of the fund.

With God,I know that all thing are possible and as soon as I receive your reply through my lawyer I will now give him instruction to make you the beneficiary of the funds and all necessary steps to take before receiving these funds and I shall also give you the contact of the bank, I will also issue you a letter of authority that will prove you as the original beneficiary of the funds. I want you and the Christian community where you reside to always pray for me. My happiness is that I lived a life of a true devoted Christian, whoever that wants to serve God must serve him in truth and in spirit, please always be prayerful all through your life.Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another Christian organization or a devoted Christian for the same purpose.Until I hear from you my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders,may the Almighty God continue to guide and protect you Amen.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs.Barbara Cook

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