419 scam: "Mrs. Mary Collins" <austin@w98sz3mmy.homepage.t-online.de> Mrs. Mary Collins

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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:
- ",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)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Mary Collins" <austin@w98sz3mmy.homepage.t-online.de>
Reply-To: <collins_mrsmary@yahoo.cn>
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2011 09:55:10 -0700
Subject: Mrs. Mary Collins

Hello Dear,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am Mrs. Mary Collins, widow to LATE A. COLLINS BROWN, I am 42 years. I am now, a new Christian convert, suffering from cancer of the breast.

By all indications, my condition is really deteriorating and is quite obvious, according to the ,physician’s last word that I will not live more than two months . This is because cancer stage has reached a very bad phase

My late husband was killed during the U.S. raid against terrorism in Afghanistan.During the period of our marriage we were, capable of producing two children (one boy and one girl). My

late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his businesses and wealth. Based on the Doctors advice that I may not live for more than two months now, I have decided to dedicate a portion of this wealth ($10,000,000.00), out of the total sum of Eighteen Thousand United States Dollars ($18,000,000.00) well being of the less privileged and motherless Children in Africa America Asia and other parts of the world. Thus the rest of the money would be shared among my kids, you and my Lawyer.

When I saw your email address, I prayed over it and decided to use you. I pray that this money when transferred into your Account will surely be used for such purposes. Because grace of out Lord Jesus Christ the love of God and the fellowship of God be with you and your family.

I await your urgent/immediate response response,

Sincerely,

Mrs. Mary Collins.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam