419 scam: "Mrs.Teresa Mpume" <johnwest005tg@gmail.com> 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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "huge amount of money" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Teresa Mpume" <johnwest005tg@gmail.com>
Reply-To: teresampume1967@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2021 09:03:38 -0700
Subject: hello,

My Dearest Beloved,

First, let me start by introducing myself. My name is Mrs.Teresa Mpume
Richardson, a South Africa, I was working with Build Safe South Africa. You
can view the profile of Build Safe South Africa at and read about us. I am
married to the late Mr.Thulani Richardson and we were married for twenty
years with a child. He died after an illness that lasted for four weeks.
Please know this may come to you by surprise, i know that you do not know
me, but i need your assistance hence i am writing to you as my will
directed me, and it is my desire to go into this business / relationship
with you.

When my late husband was alive we deposited the sum of (Fifteen Million
Five Hundred Thousand U.S.Dollars) with a security company,Though i
assisted him in getting this contract for this deposit signed. I am afraid
that the government of South Africa might start to investigate contracts
awarded from Build Safe South Africa. This money
is still with a security company in East Africa Kenya. Recently my Doctor
told me that I would not last for the next three months due to my cancer
problem, though what disturbs me most is my stroke, Having to know my
condition I want to invest this money into any profitable business of your
choice, whatever interest/profit that will come out from this investment of
your choice will be shared by both parties.

I have a child that will inherit this money but my son cannot carry out
this work by himself, my son is just 15 year old now and growing up in
Africa and handling this huge amount of money will certainly be a disaster
for a fifteen year old, He is not mature yet. Hence this is the reason for
taking this bold decision in contacting you. I am not afraid of death as I
know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. I would like you to
understand that my contact to you is by my own free will, and as soon as I
receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the security company.I
will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the new
beneficiary of this consignment as the company are not aware the content
inside the boxes is cash. We declare them as personal belongings, I will
send you this letter through my attorney. My happiness is that I will be
living something worthy for my son whom I will be living behind. Any delay
in Your reply will give me room in sourcing an individual for this same
purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as i stated here
and i will like you to contact me immediately you receive this mail so that
i will instruct the Security Company to Transfer this consignments into
your name and ship it to your Country of residence.

My Regards to your Family,
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs.Teresa Mpume Richardson.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam