419 scam: Elizabeth Rich <elizabethrch555@gmail.com> Re: Cry for help (URGENT)

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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 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.
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.
- lizyrich@myself.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Elizabeth Rich <elizabethrch555@gmail.com>
Reply-To: lizyrich2010@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:21:08 +0700
Subject: Re: Cry for help (URGENT)

Attention: Dear Beloved.

First, I must apologies to you for using this medium to communicate to
you about this project I am the above named and I was married to Mr.
Ronald Rich who worked with the British embassy in Kuwait for nine
years before he died in March, 2007.We were married for eleven years
without a child.

He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.When my
late husband was alive he deposited the sum of (USD$8.5 Million
Dollars) with a bank . Presently, this money is still with the bank,
my doctor told me that I would not last due to cancer problem. Though
what disturbs me most is my stroke. Having known my condition I
decided to donate this fund to cancer research centers I am therefore
looking for any individual that will utilize this money the way I am
going to instruct.

The person must also donate to orphanages, Research centers and widows
propagating the word, I took this decision because I don't have any
child that will inherit this money. I don't want a situation where
this money gets into the wrong hands of my husband?s relatives hence I
am taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know
where I am going. I don't need any telephone communication in this
regard because of my health and the presence of my husband?s relatives
around me always as they are very greedy and only hope that I die soon
to enable them claim the rest of my husbands wealth hence I don't want
them to know about this development. By his grace, all things are
possible.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the
Security Firm where the said funds is for the immediate release of the
funds to you. I will also issue a letter of authority that will
empower you as the new beneficiary of this fund.

Please assure me that you will act accordingly as stated herein.
Hoping to hear from you. Be assured that it will not take more than 7
working days for you to receive the funds from the date you
acknowledge receipt of this mail.

Note that I can only read a reply to lizyrich@myself.com

Remain Blessed,
Elizabeth Rich.

Anti-fraud resources:

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