419 scam: "Mrs. Vivian Salem" <maxj0475@gmail.com> HI

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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:
- "million 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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Vivian Salem" <maxj0475@gmail.com>
Reply-To: viviansalem343@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2023 21:12:42 -0700
Subject: HI

My dearly beloved,

May the blessings and peace of God be with you and your family.

I am sure this mail will be coming to you as a bite of a surprise since we
have never meet before and you may also be asking yourself why I have
decided to choose you amongst the numerous internet users in the world,
precisely I cannot say why I have chosen you but do not be alarmed for I
mean no harm.

My name is Mrs. Vivian Salem, wife of late Salem Nasim in Iraq,Ten year
ago, I lost my husband Nasim and three children - Husam, 15 years old ,
Wasim, 12 years old and Merna, 6years old, this happened when American tank
shelled our car as the family attempted to flee heavy fighting in Baghdad
View the Website below for detailed story of how I lost my family.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/04/vivians_story/html/1.stm

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/04/vivians_story/html/1.stm>

Before my husband and children were killed, he deposited the sum of $10.
million (Ten Million Dollars) in a bank. My Doctor told me that I would not
last for the next three months due to illness.
Having known my condition I decided to donate this funds to a better still
a God fearing individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to
instruct herein. I want an individual that will use this fund for
orphanages and humanity work.

I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this
money and my husband's relatives are not and I don't want my husbands hard
earned money to be misused by unbelievers. I don't want a situation where
this money will be used in an ungodly manner. As soon as I receive your
reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank. I will also issue you a
letter of authority that will empower you as the original- beneficiary of
this fund.

Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein.
This must be kept confidential from eyes and ears of my husband's family.
Hoping to hear from you.
Thanks,

Mrs. Vivian Salem

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam