419 scam: Maria Johnson <walterashdown187@googlemail.com> ( PLEASE READ AND BE BLESSED. )

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024035982 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- walterashdown187@googlemail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Maria Johnson <walterashdown187@googlemail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 03:44:17 +0800
Subject: ( PLEASE READ AND BE BLESSED. )

Hello,

My name is Mrs.Maria Johnson.I am a dying woman who had decided to
donate what I have to you.I am 59 years old and was diagnosed for
cancer about 2 years ago,immediately after the death of my husband, who
had left me everything he worked for.I have been touched by God to
donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to the you for
the good work of God,rather than allow my relatives to use my husband's
hard earned funds ungodly.I have asked God to forgive me all my sins
and i believe he has because He is a merciful God.

I will be going in for an operation,and i pray that i survive the
operation. I have decided to WILL/donate the sum of $10,500,000.00.(Ten
million five hundred thousand dollars) to you for the good work of the
lord,and to help the motherless,less privileged and also for the
assistance of the widows.At the moment I cannot take any telephone
calls, due to the fact that my relatives are around me and i have been
restricted by my doctor from taking telephone calls because i deserve
all the rest i can get.Presently,I have informed my lawyer about my
decision in WILLING this fund to you.I wish you all the best and may
the good Lord bless you abundantly, and please use the funds well and
always extend the good work to others.

Kindly Contact my lawyer through this email address
(walterashdown187@googlemail.com) or you can call his private line
:+447024035982.If you are interested in carrying out this ask,so that
he can arrange the release of the funds ($10,500,000.00) to you.My
lawyer's name is Barrister Walter Ashdown.I know I have never met you
but my mind tells me to do this,and i hope you act sincerely.

NB:I will appreciate your ultmost confidentiality in this matter until
the task is omplished,as I don't want anything that will Jeopardize my
last wish,due to the fact that i do not want relatives or family
members standing in the way of my last wish.

Thank you and God bless you.
Maria Johnson. ( PLEASE READ AND BE BLESSED. )

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam