419 scam: Monica Smith <giosualessandro@alice.it> Can you honestly help me from your heart?

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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a orphan scam.
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.
- mss.monicasmith@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Monica Smith <giosualessandro@alice.it>
Reply-To: western0946@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 08:03:17 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Can you honestly help me from your heart?

Hi:

I am the only Daughter of my late parents Mr and Mrs Nelson Smith. My father
was a highly reputable business magnet who operated in the capital of Benin
Republic during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in
France during one of his business trips abroad on the 12th September 2007.
Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been
masterminded by an uncle of his who traveled with him at that time. But God
knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6yrs old, and since then my
father took me so special. Before his death on September 2007, he called me and
informed me that he has the sum of Five Million, Seven Hundred thousand United
State Dollars.(USD $5,700,000.00)left in fixed deposit account in one of the
leading banks in Africa.

He further told me that he deposited the money in my name, and also gave me all
the necessary but legal documents to this fund with the bank. I am just 21
years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. Now
I want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds and after the
transaction I will come and reside permanently in your country till such a time
that it will be convenience for me to return back home if I so desire. This is
because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political
crisis here in Benin Republic. The death of my father actually brought sorrow
to my life. I also want to invest the fund under your care because I am
ignorant of business world.

I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Your
suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these few
questions:
1. Can you honestly help me from your heart?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after
the money is in your account? Please, consider this and get back to me as soon
as possible. Immediately I confirm your willingness, I will send to you my
Picture and also inform you more details involved in this matter.

Kind Regards,
Miss Monica Smith
Email:mss.monicasmith@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam