419 scam: "MS. MARIA RAMOS" <linahmohoklo31@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)
- ",500,000" (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" <linahmohoklo31@gmail.com>
Reply-To: msmariaramos01@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2021 11:35:50 +0200
Subject: Hello

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 hoping we can
work together for humanity. 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 late-stage breast cancer. It is my desire to have a
genuine relationship with you.

I have $10,500,000 which I deposited in an escrow account here in
South Africa. The funds are clean; as these are my savings from my
Investments I have done during my active years until I became very
ill.

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. I have, therefore, decided to donate these funds to
different charitable organizations around you. Kindly reply, if you
can help me with my dying plan. I will compensate you and your family
with 40% of the $10.5M for your efforts. Thank you for your attention,
as I anticipate your earliest response.

Ms. Maria Ramos.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam