419 scam: "Mrs. Clare Edward" <test@magrus.com> Dear friend !!

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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.

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Clare Edward" <test@magrus.com>
Reply-To: <clareedward17@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2022 11:06:22 -0500
Subject: Dear friend !!

Dear friend,
My name is Clare Edward, a widow suffering from long term illness. I am currently admitted in a private hospital, my husband died through Coronavirus disease. We were married for 35 years without a child, a very devoted Christian and I have done a lot of charitable work around the world, helping the orphans and poor people in the street. Our second home was recently donated to our local church and I have $1,800,000.00 left which is deposited with a financial institution in England and I want you to receive this fund to help improve your life. I am donating this fund to affect your life positively as God has directed me in the dream, I don't know you in person but the holy spirit has inspired me to help an unknown individual. Hence I'm taking this instruction to obey God's words.

I found your email address from the internet and decided to contact you. I will instruct my lawyer to prepare all the legal documents needed for you to receive this fund in your country. For privacy, safety and confidentiality the payment could be made via ATM MASTER CARD, and you will make use of the CARD in your country without any interference by any authority as you will have legal documents backing this inheritance from me.
Remember, this is an instruction inspired by God.

Please tell me more about yourself.

Waiting for your positive answer with your full name, address and telephone.

Your Sister in the Lord
Mrs. Clare Edward

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam