419 scams are a type of fraud and one of the most common types of confidence trick. The scam typically involves promising the victim a significant share of a large sum of money, which the fraudster requires a small up-front payment to obtain.
If a victim makes the payment, the fraudster either invents a series of further fees for the victim, or simply disappears.
There are many variations on this type of scam, including advance-fee fraud, Fifo’s Fraud, Spanish Prisoner Scam, the black money scam, and the Detroit-Buffalo scam. The scam has been used with fax and traditional mail, and is now used with the Internet.
Online versions of the scam originate primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom and Nigeria, with Ivory Coast, Togo, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Spain also having high incidences of such fraud. The number “419” refers to the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code dealing with fraud
The Maravi Post was in receipt of the email below:
For the glory of the risen king
I must apologize for barging into your privacy I am Mrs Angela Bassett Ruhlmann, an American Citizen, I’m married to ivorian late business tycoon Dr. MATTHIAS RUHLMANN, I and my late husband was into, Estate management and also a government Estate building contractor before my husband death.
He was murdered with the Interior Minister by the rebels during this recent political crises in my country Cote D’Ivoire. My late husband also has a Cocoa farm which was totally burnt by the rebels after he was killed. We were married for eleven years without a child due my fibroid problem.
Since over seven mouth now I have been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Four months due to cancer problem. From all indications, my condition is really deteriorating and is quite obvious that I may not live more than two months, because the cancer stage has gotten to a very dangerous stage. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of 3.7 Million.
(USD) in the Farm here in Ivory Coast, Presently this money is still in the bank. Having known my condition I have decided to donate this fund to good person that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want you to use at least 85% this fund to visit the orphanage homes, poor aged widows, help woman with cancer problems, poor sick ones at the hospital as I want this to be the last good thing I did on earth before my death, then take the remaining 15% to take good care of your good home because every worker deserves his wages. I am not afraid of death hence I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. My happiness is that I lived a good life. Assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank and I will also issue a letter of authorization to the bank that will prove you the beneficiary of this money. I also want you to always pray for me.
Waiting to hear from you.
Mrs Angela Bassett Ruhlmann.,
The best way to combat these scams is to ignore the email all togather
