419 scam: "Mrs.Marie Smith"<smthmrsmarie@hotmail.com> Please Read and get back to me

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
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.
- smithmrsmarie@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Marie Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <smithmrsmarie@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 May 2014 19:19:48 -0000
Subject: Please Read and get back to me

My Dear Friend ,

First I must solicit your confidence in this transaction and I am sending you this message because I can make a lot of difference in this life. I think you can make a lot of difference if we talk, become good friends in the Lord, and see that with greater power, becomes greater responsibility. You can make a change in the life of others, most especially the poor hearted, and the less privileged with the Money you will get from me,I believe you can do this. I think I would start all with a proper introduction of myself.

I have some Money to donate for the Poor and Less Privileged.

Waiting for your reply to this email for more details: smithmrsmarie@hotmail.com

Please send me the below information.

NAME:
ADDRESS:
PHONE NO
OCCUPATION

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs Marie Smith

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam