419 scam: "Mrs. Maria Joseph"<maria.joseph153@yahoo.in> Greetings in the name of the Lord

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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:
- "a security company " (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. )
- "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.
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.
- mariajoseph_2007@hotmail.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Maria Joseph" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mariajoseph_2007@hotmail.fr>
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 14:05:41 +0100
Subject: Greetings in the name of the Lord

DONATION FOR THE WORK OF GOD

Dear Trusting Friend,

It is with tears and pains that I write this mail from my sick bed in a hospital. I believe you have never met such a condition before. My name is
Mrs. Maria Joseph widow to late Mr. Joseph Jacob from the republic of Benin.

I am 68 years old, suffering from long time cancer of the breast. From all indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite obvious
that I won't live more than 3 months according to my doctors. This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. I don't want your
pity, but I need your trust. My late husband died long ago after a little illness.

During the period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child. My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business
and wealth. The doctor has advised me that I will not live for more than 3 month, so I have now decided to spread all my wealth, to contribute mainly
to the development of charity home and for orphanage.I want this fund to be used for building orphanage homes in the name of my late husband. I am
sorry if you are embarrassed by my Email.

I found your e-mail address and as a real Child of God for over a month now that I have been praying about you to know if really you are working
according to the direction of God so after all my prayers I am convince, and I have decided to contact you, before my late husband died he was a
successful business man and he deposited the sum of $4.2 000,000.00 (Four Million Two hundred Thousand Dollars only) in a security company here in
Benin republic two years ago, That's all I have left now, I need your help to collect these funds and use it to build orphanage homes that bears the
name of my late husband Mr. Joseph Jacob so that his name remains. So that when I die my soul will rest in peace.

The funds will be entirely in your hands and you are to manage. I hope God gives you the wisdom to touch very many lives that is my main concern. 30%
of this fund will be for your time and effort, while 70% goes to the building of orphanage homes. Please to be sure that you can handle this project; send your information below to me:

1. Your Name in Full:
2. Your Address:
3. Your Occupation:
4. Your Nationality;
5. Your City;
6. Your Telephone:
7. Mobile number:
8. Your Age:
9. Your Gender:

Note; reply to my private email address for more details:
mariajoseph_2007@hotmail.fr

God bless you.

Regards

Mrs. Maria Joseph

Anti-fraud resources:

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