419 scam: Maria Schaeffler <mrsmariaschaeffler6@gmail.com> YOU WIN A CONTRACT TO BUILD ORPHAN HOMES

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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:
- "a security company " (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. )
- "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)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Maria Schaeffler <mrsmariaschaeffler6@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsmariaschaeffler7@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 07:32:16 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOU WIN A CONTRACT TO BUILD ORPHAN HOMES

Dear trusted friend,
I am happy to know you, but God knows you better and he knows why he has directed me to you at this point, so do not be afraid i am writing this mail to you with heavy sorrow in my heart,I am Mrs. Maria Schaeffler, a devoted Christian and I have been diagnosed of cancer a few years ago immediately after the death of my husband who left me everything he had worked for. I have been touched by God to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to you for the good work of God rather than allow my greedy relatives to use my husband's hard earned funds in ungodly way, (Please make sure you use this money properly for building of churches, orphanage homes and also help the less-privileged once in the society.

The fund was deposited with Oris Bank,Since his death i decided not to remarry again, when my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of (USD $19.5, Million Dollars) in a Security Company in Burkina Faso the capital city of Ouagadougou in Africa presently this money is still in Company. He made this money available for exportation of gold from Burkina Faso mining.Recently, my doctor told me that i would not last for the period of seven months due to cancer problem. Whoever that wants to serve god must serve him in spirit and truth because God is the most high; please always be prayerful all through your life.The one that disturbs me most is my cancer sickness. Having known my condition i decided to hand you over this money and the gold to take care of the less-privileged people, you will utilize this money the way i am going to instruct herein.I want you to take 30 percent of the total money for your personal use while 70% of the money will go to
charity" people in the street and helping the orphanage.

My late husband deposited the Fund in Burkina Faso since 1998 please i want you to use this opportunity and claim it I have all the useful information and the deposit certificate with me here. we were married for eleven years without a child.I don't have any child my husband relatives are not good,i grew up as an orphan and i don't have anybody as my family member,if you are ready to claim the fund i need you to go and see with your eyes

Hoping to receive your reply

Regards,
Mrs. Maria Schaeffler

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