419 scam: "Mrs. Clare Petterson" <paypalshipment008@gmail.com> HELLO DEAR

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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Clare Petterson" <paypalshipment008@gmail.com>
Reply-To: pettersonclare@yandex.com
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2020 02:29:44 -0700
Subject: HELLO DEAR

--

Dearest

I am Mrs. Clare Peterson from Australia; I am married to late Mr.
Georg Peterson who worked with TOTAL OIL in Benin Republic for
Twenty-Six years before he died in the year 2009, after a brief
illness that lasted for only five days.

We were married for Eighteen years with a daughter (Lillian) who later
died in a motor accident.

Before the untimely death of my husband, since after his death I
decided not to remarry.

When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of USD $1.5M (One
Million, five hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in a General
Trust Account with a prime bank in Cotonou Benin republic. Presently,
this money is still with the bank.

Recently, following my ill health, my Doctor told me that I may not
last for the next eight months due to my cancer problem.

The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness.

Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to an
individual or organization that will utilize this money the way I am
going to instruct herein, according to the desire of my late husband
before his death.

I want this fund to be used in Activities like, Orphanages, widows,
and displaced children.

I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit
this money and my husband relatives are unbelievers.

I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my
health and hence the presence of my husband's relatives around me
always.

I don't want them to know about this development; As soon as I receive
your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank in Cotonou.

I will also issue you the documents which will prove that you are the
present beneficiary of this fund.

Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another for this
same purpose.

Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated here in.

Hoping to receive your reply.

Thanks and god bless you,

Mrs. Clare Peterson.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam