419 scam: "Madam Pauline Butler" <pbutler@aol.com> Humanitarian Call..

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 pounds" (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)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barr_rayrichardsuk@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- charitablemadamuk@googlemail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Madam Pauline Butler" <pbutler@aol.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: charitablemadamuk@googlemail.com
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:06:23 -0500 (ECT)
Subject: Humanitarian Call..

From: Madam Pauline Butler, 4 Old Church Street,
Chelsea, SW3, England

Hello ,
I apologize for reaching you through this medium as it is the best way
ican do this for now.

My Names are Madam Pauline Butler suffering from cancerous ailment. I was
married to Sir David Butler an Englishman who is dead.When my late
husband was alive he deposited the sum of 2 Million Great Britain Pounds
Sterling (2 Million Pounds Sterlings only).
which were derived from his vast estates and investment in capital market
with his bank here in UK.

Recently, my Doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the
cancerous problems I am suffering from. I have decided to donate this fund
to you and want you to use this gift which comes from my husbands effort
to fund the upkeep of widows, widowers, orphans,destitute, the
down-trodden,physically challenged children, barren-women and persons
whoprove to be genuinely handicapped financially.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank
in UK. I will also issue you a Letter of Authority that will empower you
as the original beneficiary of this fund.His Email is
barr_rayrichardsuk@live.com. My happiness is that I lived a life worthy of
emulation. Please assure me that you will act just as I have stated herein.

My reagrds to the family.

Madam Pauline Butler
charitablemadamuk@googlemail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam