419 scam: "Sara Holmes"<saraholmes2006@yahoo.com> HELLO

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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 beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "million 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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Sara Holmes" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <saraholmes2006@yahoo.com.cn>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 07:15:45 -0800
Subject: HELLO

Dear Beloved,

I send my love and greetings to you. I am Mrs Sarah Holmes from United Kingdom. I am married to Late Dr. Fredrick Holmes of blessed memory who was oil explorer in Kuwait and Brunei for ten years before he died in the year 2005. We were married for ten years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.

Before his death we were committed to each other and respect each others interest. Since after his death, I too have been battling with both Cancer and fibroid problems, my doctor told me that I have few months to live due to my cancer problem that lead to a stroke attack. This bothers me so much as it have affected my speach and movement so badly. Having known my condition I decided to seek for your help.

I am in search of a honest and sincere individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. When my late Husband was alive he Deposited the sum of $10Million (Ten Million United States Dollars) in a Security Company under my name, the money is deposited as Family Valuables/Treasure for security reasons.

So if you are willing to take up this responsibility, you will have 20% of the US$10million to ensure that you are prepared for the task ahead, 75% of it will be used in all sincerity to fund orphanages, widows,research on cancer and also propagating the word of God and to ensure that the society upholds the views and beliefs of human existence, while 5% of the fund will be used for legal and attorney fees.

I am taking this decision because the relatives of my husband have confiscated other of our wealth without giving any to the needy.Based on that I don't want to entrust this fund to any of them, and I have no child, I cannot take the fund to the grave. I don't want a situation where this money will be used in inappropriate manner. Since my health is retrogressing by all minute, so my dear please do get back to me and let me know if you are willing to carry out this work.

Then I will make arrangement to prepare the Authorization through an Attorney for you to get Possession of this Fund. I pray that this letter bring you and your family good tiding while my dreams to help humanity rest squarely on your shoulders. Do remember me in your prayers because that is what I needed most for now.

Remain Blessed,

Mrs Sarah Holmes

Anti-fraud resources:

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