One of the most common types of advance fee scam is the widow-dying-of-cancer scam. These are so common you would think they wouldn’t work any more, but if they didn’t work the scammers wouldn’t keep sending them, so you know some people do still fall for them. The example below is shorter than most — some scammers go into great detail, but others figure if they can hook you with a short message they may have a better chance of reeling you in.
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2015 10:05:41 -0430 (VET)
From: simon martinez simon.martinez@defensapublica.gob.ve
Reply-To: x.chrisxavier@hotmail.comI am Mrs. Christy Xavier an aging widow suffering from cancer, I have some funds I am willing to donate through you to non-profit charitable organization amounting £8.3Million pounds and my estate in Indiana (USA). 50% of the total sum should be transferred to any orphanage home. You can help your community with the remaining 50% and for your services to carryout this last wish for me
UPDATE: Christy Xavier is persistent! A few days after sending the message above she sent a followup:
Date: Wed, 20 May 2015
From: Christy Xavier victor.yaulema@ame.gob.ec
Reply-To: xavier.00293@msn.comI recently left you a message.
Before she was emailing from Venezuela (.ve) and now from Ecuador (.ec). Christy gets around!
