419 scam: "MRS.MARIA" <fredgam2020@gmail.com> FROM MARIA

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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
- "million united state 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS.MARIA" <fredgam2020@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsmariasisso@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2021 00:10:29 -0800
Subject: FROM MARIA

Hello, I write to inform you,

Compliments of the day to you; Firstly, I apologize for sending you this
sensitive information via e-mail instead of a certified post-mail. Well, my
name is Barrister Mrs.Maria Sisso, a solicitor and personal finance lawyer
based here in Accra Ghana on contract with the Ghana National Petroleum
Corporation, Oil and Gas. Though I did a lot of web search before choosing
your contact from your country's website and business online register. It
is with trust and sincerity that I approach you for assistance in a
business project for investment purposes in your country.

However, I seek your concept to present you as the foreign executor next of
kin to my deceased client who made a deposit of US$120,000,000.00One
hundred and twentyMillion United State Dollars only) with a finance firm
here, since you are at an advantage bearing the same last name with my
deceased client, so that the proceeds of the deposit funds valued at
US$120,000,000.00 (One hundred and twenty Million United State Dollars
only) to be paid to you and we shall both share the funds amicably.55%
Fifty five percent goes to me while 40% forty percent will be for you and
the remaining 5% will be for any incurred expenses and for donation to
charitable organizations.

So in all faithfulness, I have all the necessary legal documents that will
be used to back up any claim we will make. All I require is your honest
co-operation to enable us to see this project go through and I guarantee
you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement, so if you
are interested and sincere we can proceed further with this transaction
which is hundred percent risk free, please affirm your willingness and let
me know immediately so that I can give you the comprehensive details on how
we proceed further.

I shall be waiting for your reply regarding this subject.

Thank you and best regards,

Yours Truly,
Mrs.Maria Sisso

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam