419 scam: "Mrs. Angela Patel"<mrsangelapsw6@googlemail.com> Your assistance is needed...

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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:
- ",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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Angela Patel" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <angelapsw6@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:51:41 +0200
Subject: Your assistance is needed...

Greetings to you and your family,

I am Mrs. Angela Patel, a British citizen I was married to Late Geoffrey R. Patel of blessed memory who was an oil explorer for thirteen years before he died on Sept. 24 2007. We were married for Nine years without a child, my husband died as a result of heart attack. When Geoffrey was alive he deposited a substantial amount of money worth $8,500,000.00U.S (Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars) in a dollar account with a financial institution here in United Kingdom which I inherited after his death. Since Geoffrey death I have been battling with both Cancer and fibroid problems.

Recently, my doctor told me that I have less than three months to live due to my ailment and having known my condition I have decided to donate this fund to either a devoted God fearing individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct. I want this individual or organization to use this money in all sincerity to establish a Charity home with my name (ANGELA PATEL FOUNDATION). I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husbands relatives are into serious radical organization and I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an unholy manner, hence which is why I needed you. Please, pray for me to recover as your prayers will go a long way in uplifting my spirit.

I may not need any telephone communication with this regard because of my present health condition which has seriously affected my speech and also because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you further directives on what to do and how to go about actualizing this project.

While responding to this email, kindly add your full names and full address.

Until I hear from you by email, my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders. I want you to always pray for me. Any delay in your reply will give room in sourcing for an organization or a devoted Individual for this same purpose.

Remain blessed,
Mrs. Angela Patel

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam