419 scam: "MRS. GRACE PAM" <mrsgpam6@att.net> Hello My Dear..

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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:
- "affidavit of claim" (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. )
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS. GRACE PAM" <mrsgpam6@att.net>
Reply-To: <mrsgracepam01@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:21:58 -0500
Subject: Hello My Dear..

GRACE DAVID PAM.
107 UWANI CLOSE
P.O BOX 69470
EBANO ESTATE,
ENUGU, NIGERIA.

My Dear,

I know this email will come to you as a surprise, but please, treat it with love of God. I am Mrs.Grace David Pam. I am suffering from cancerous ailment. I used to be married to Sir John David Pam who worked with the Nigerian embassy in Libya. My husband was later retired into private practice before his death. We lived our lives together as husband and wife which lasted for three decades without children.

My husband died after a protracted illness. My husband and I made a vow to uplift the down-trodden and the less-privileged individuals as he had passion for persons who can not help themselves due to physical disability or financial predicament. I can adduce this to the fact that he needed a Child from the marriage, which never came.

When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of six Million Dollars (Us$6,000,000.00) which were derived from his vast estates and investment in capital market with his banks here.Presently, this money is still with the Security and Finance where it was deposited by my late husband. Recently, my Doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the cancerous problems I am suffering from.

As a result of the practices here in Africa against widows, my husband relatives are after me due to the funds my late husband left behind.Though what bothers me most is the stroke that I have in addition to the cancer. With this hard reality that has befallen me, I have decided to donate this funds to you and i want you to use this funds from my husband's effort to fund the upkeep of widows,widowers, orphans,destitute, the down-trodden, physically challenged children,barren-women and persons who prove to be genuinely handicapped financially rather than allowing these ungodly people have access to it.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of my attorney. Who will also issue you a Letter of Authority and the Affidavit of Claim that will empower you as the original beneficiary of this fund. Please, i want you to know that we lived a life worthy of emulation as this funds are never made from nefarious businesses.
Hope to hear from you soon.

Remain Blessed.
Mrs.Grace Pam.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam