419 scam: "Mrs. Beatrice Potters" <test@cosus.com.vn> Dear Beloved,

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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:
- "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Beatrice Potters" <test@cosus.com.vn>
Reply-To: <mrs.beatricepotters@yandex.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Sep 2018 04:29:16 -0700
Subject: Dear Beloved,

Dear Beloved,

I greet you in the name of the Lord. Saw your profile on Google and moved to write you believeing you are capable to handle this for me and God.

I am Mrs. Beatrice Potters,65yrs from USA but now undergoing medical treatment in London. I was married to late Mr.Alex Potters.We were married for eleven years without a child.
My late husband deposited the sum of US$7,506,420.00 with British Arab Commercial Bank and that's the reason my late husband's relatives hates and wants me dead to claim this fund.I will send you details as soon as you indicate your interest in capable of claiming the funds and use this money to help orphanage homes to fulfil God words in my life.

I will also issue you a letter of authority that will make you the beneficiary of this fund. I want you to always pray for me because the lord is the only strength I have but my happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian.I don't need any telephone communication as i am in the hospital.

Please assure me that you will act accordingly to my will.

Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.

Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Beatrice Potters

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam