419 scam: Lois Brown <ventas@ciper.cl> Charity

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million british pounds" (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)
- ",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)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Lois Brown <ventas@ciper.cl>
Reply-To: Lois Brown <lios30627@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2014 11:58:31 -0300 (CLST)
Subject: Charity

Greetings to you my dear friend,I am Mrs. Lois Brown, I am 51 years old, I am suffering from cancerous ailment. My husband died after a protracted illness. My late husband was very wealthy and after his death,I inherited all his business and wealth, I am willing to donate the sum of 38,500,000.00 Million British Pounds Sterling to you and want you to use this gift which comes from my husbands effort to fund the upkeep of the motherless baby homes,needy, poor,charity homes and widows.

My personal physician told me that I may not live for more than six months, Please I want you to be praying for me as regards my entire life and my health. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the necessary information and contact of the security company. My happiness is that I lived a life worthy of emulation. Please always be prayerful all through your life. Please assure me that you will act just as I have stated herein. Hope to hear from you soon.

Reply as soon as possible.

Regards,
Lois Brown

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam