419 scam: "Mrs.Ann Phillips" <mrsannphillips@live.com> Hello

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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:
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
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.
- mrsannphillips897@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Ann Phillips" <mrsannphillips@live.com>
Reply-To: mrsannphillips897@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 08 Feb 2014 07:55:26 +0000
Subject: Hello

--
Hello

This massage may come to you as a surprise and the temptation to delete
it because we have not met. However, I believe you knew my late husband
(Sir Johnson Getty Phillips) because I got your contact from his folder. My
late husband was into private business/practice (oil and gas dealer) before
he died of heart related disease. Our life together as husband and wife
lasted for 10yrs. Before his death, we vowed to start a Charity Project to
uplift the downtrodden and the less-privileged/motherless children, as he
had passion for them. I can adduce this to the fact that he needed a child
from me, but God knows why it never came till his death. Before his death,
he deposited some amount of money with a private finance House in Uk which
has yeilded the sum of $6,500,000.00 with the good heart of using it for
the Charity Project in Africa and Asia. Till now the money is still with
the finance House in Uk.

I have been under medical supervision of Professor Roger Kirby at The
Cancer Centre 32 Wimpole St London W1G 8GT since 2007. After series of
medical test on me last week, my Doctor told me that they have tried their
best as i have only God to look up to for a miracle. This is due to this
ailment which has affected my body system. I want you as a God fearing and
trustworthy person to utilize this money to assist the upkeep of widows,
orphans, and physically challenged children, as it has been the wish of my
late husband. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact
of the finance House and Our lawyer who prepared the documents for the
deposit so he will assist you apply for the release of the gold/funds after
introducing you legally to the finance House. If you are interested in
carrying out this operation, please do send me an email via my private
email (mrsannphillips897@gmail.com) along with your Full
name,Address,telephone number to proceed.

I await your urgent reply.

Thank and God bless you
Mrs.Ann Phillips

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam