419 scam: "Mrs. Mary Benson"<mrsmarybensons@yahoo.com> From Mrs. Mary Benson

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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- revattmashjosan@saintly.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Mary Benson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <revattmashjosan@saintly.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:19:04 -0000
Subject: From Mrs. Mary Benson

Dear Beloved Friend,

I WILL LIKE YOU TO ACCEPT THIS TOKEN WITH GOOD FAITH.

How are you doing today? I hope all is well with you and your family? I am using this opportunity to inform you that I have successfully transferred my funds out of the company under the assistance of a new partner from Iraq Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, the Minister of Energy & Industry Chairman & Managing Director, Qatar Petroleum. I am much elated to contact you again after this long time.

I must inform you that I'm presently in Iraq for business negotiations and establishment under a joint business partnership with Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada. With a sincere heart, I have issued a cheque worth US$995,000.00 US Dollars in your name, ordering Reverend Attmash Josan to transfer the cheque to you. Therefore, I want you to contact Reverend Attmash Josan immediately you read this message for the collection of the cheque because it will take me extra 6 Months before returning back to Nigeria. The name and contact address of Reverend with your cheque is:

1: Name: Reverend Attmash Josan (of Roman Catholic Church, Nigeria)
2: E-mail Address: revattmashjosan@saintly.com

Note: Rev. Attmash Josan is waiting to hear from you for the collection of your Cheque. Take note that the cheque has a validity period of 30 banking days as such it is urgent you contact him immediately.

Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Mary Benson
Principal partnership with QP.
http://www.qp.com.qa

NOTE: Do not reply to me, rather you are to contact Reverend Attmash Josan through e-mail Address: revattmashjosan@saintly.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam