419 scam: "MS. MARIA RAMOS" <mohohololinah24@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:
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "MS. MARIA RAMOS" <mohohololinah24@gmail.com>
Reply-To: msmariaramos01@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2021 11:02:35 +0200
Subject: Hello

Out of respect for your time, my name is Maria Ramos. Born in Lisbon,
Portugal, but my late parents emigrated to South Africa when I was 6 years
old. I am a businesswoman, banker and corporate executive. Kindly, you can
research me to know more about me if you will. I know this may come to you
as a surprise because you do not know me, but I sincerely need your trust
and assistance urgently because of my present health condition - I am
suffering from cancer (long-term illness). It is my desire to have a
genuine personal relationship with you.

I need your help to help me carry out my last wish of distributing my funds
to various charitable organizations around you. I deposited the sum of us
$10.5M (Ten million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) with a
finance/bank in South Africa where I reside now. I have worked hard all my
life and donated to a lot of charitable organizations in my community and
neighboring countries too. However, I want to help across international
borders too as god directs me before I pass on.

Suffering from cancer of the breast; my doctor informed me that due to my
poor health condition, I would not be able to stay alive past the next few
months. Having known my condition, I decided to donate these funds to
different charitable organizations through you in your country. I prayed
about this and, I have confidence in my decision. I will compensate you and
your family with 40% of the $10.5M for your efforts, if you can help me
carry out my last wish. I anticipate your earliest reply, as I would love
to read from you.

Sincerely,
Ms Maria Ramos.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam