Has someone offered you a huge sum of money or a valuable consignment? It's a 419 or advance fee fraud - find out how they work, and what to do to be safe.
#197649 by Tinny Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:40 am
I got an obvious advance fee scam today but I thought it was interesting. First of all, it is manipulation religious aspect to win sympathy, i.e. religious people tend to be trustworthy and giving, so this provides some weight to the story in terms of how trustworthy it appears to someone unfamiliar with this type of scam.
It is also potentially attractive to those of the same faith mentioned. Two psychological persuasive techniques were used in this email

a) Trust and authority - mention of religion, god, god's will, following god and so on will induce false sense of trust

b) Liking and similarity - those who are religious might feel they are similar to this woman and will thus apply less caution to their actions

It is very likely that someone so religious would have strong ties with their own religious community and would not seek strangers to give money to so be careful.


Here is the email, from: Ruth Hamson [email protected]
Donation of Mrs. Ruth Hamson
Bishop [38 rue des martyrs cocody
Abidjan, Ivory Coast.


Dearest God

I am from Kuwait. I am married to Mr. Richead Hamson, who worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in 2004. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.

Before his death, both born again Christian. Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my husband was alive he deposited the sum of ($ 2.5 million) in the bank here in Abidjan suspense account.

Currently, the fund is still in the bank. Recently, my doctor told me that I have serious sickness which is cancer problem. What disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Knowing my condition I decided to donate this fund to church or those who utilize this money the way I would recommend here. I want a church that will use this fund for orphanages, widows, to promote the word of God and the effort that the house of God is maintained.

The Bible is for us to understand that blessed is the hand that gives. I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I do not want my husband's efforts to be used by unbelievers. I do not want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner. That's why I'm taking this decision. I'm not afraid of death, so I know where I'm going. I know that I'm going to be in the bosom of man. Exodus 14 vs 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I hold my peace.

I do not need a telephone communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my husband's relatives around me always and I do not want them to know about this development. In God all things are possible. As soon as I get an answer I will give you contact of the bank here in Abidjan. I want you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my shepherd. My happiness is that I lived a life worthy Christian. Whoever wants to serve the lord must serve him in spirit and in truth. Always praying for their whole lives.

Reply me for more information's, in your reply will give me room in sourcing another church or person for the same purpose. Let me assure you that they will act accordingly as specified. Hope to get an answer.

Send me the following information, as per below.

Your full name ..........
Address ...........
Age ...............
The occupation ........
Photo ...............


Still blessed in you.
Yours in Christ,
Sister Ruth Hamson.
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#197654 by tazmanian Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:10 am
Hi Tinny,

Yes a professed religious conviction is a very common tactic used by scammers. I think often they actually are regular church-goers. As a Christian myself, I have no idea how they can do this with a clear conscience.

Other regular tactics they use are: "big" titles such as Barrister, Reverend, General, etc., a promise that there is no illegal business going on, a focus on family - discussing their family and asking about yours - and mention of philanthropy such as caring for children or something similar.

1st rule: scammers lie

2nd rule: scammers lie
:D
#197718 by Tinny Wed Apr 16, 2014 3:35 pm
I have not had one of these yet to be honest, I usually get a corrupt bank official type offering to split pennies he gathered over the years in his account. There really is a scam for every one out there.

I know what you mean re conscience. This is how internet plays a part in scamming. Whereas these people would probably feel somewhat bad looking someone in the eye or coming to their house and telling them this, the internet removes this 'real life' component and the victim becomes just a number, a faceless target.
Scams have a history spanning to 16th century. It is only with the invention of the telephone and fax that they started to become more widespread and of course, the internet allowed them to spread like wild fire with the ease of use and relative low cost to the scammer.

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