419 scam: "Ms. Barbara Oberleitner" <example@bels.bilkent.edu.tr> I called. You did not answer

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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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: b.oberleitner2014@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2022 09:15:01 +0100
Subject: I called. You did not answer

--
From Ms. Barbara Oberleitner
Austria House Building,
European Quarters, Ikoyi
Lagos, Nigeria.
Greetings to you,
May the peace of God be with you and your family. I am Mrs. Barbara
Oberleitner, a widow from Grieskirchen Austria, I am 43 years old. I'm
married to Dr. Gunter Oberleitner who worked with Austrian Embassy in
Republic of Nigeria for Thirteen years before he died in the year 2014. We
were married for fifteen years without a child, When my late husband was
alive he deposited the sum of USD 5,300.000.00. (Five Million, Three
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) in a bank in Republic of
Nigeria. Presently this money is still in bank.
Recently my doctor told me that I would not last for the next Six months
due to cancer problem.,The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness,
Having known my condition I decided to WILL/Donate this fund to you on
charity purpose , I want you to utilize this money the way I am going to
instruct herein, I want you to use this money to fund LESS-PRIVILEGES
,orphanages, schools,disabled People, and widows propagating the word Of
God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained. The Bible made us to
understand that blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision
because I don't have any child that will inherit this money.
Presently, I'm in an American hospital here in Republic of Nigeria, where I
have been taking treatment for this sickness. As soon as I receive your
reply and confirm your acceptance to work as I instruct herein., I shall
give you all the relevant information that will authorize the transfer of
the total sum of USD 5,300.000.00 to you on charity's purposes.
30% of the fund is for you and your family, if you will accept to do this
humanitarian work. You will promised me that you will not disappoint me
when the fund will be transferred to your bank account there in your
country, and you will also assured me that you will use 70% of the money
for the said purpose.
Email me back immediately for further details.
Remain Blessed
Yours Faithfully,
Ms. Barbara Oberleitner

Anti-fraud resources:

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