Online users who have received email messages like the one below from a so-called Mrs. Theresa Heidi who wants to donate her so-called inheritance to them, should delete the same messages. This is because the messages are phishing scams. Every month, thousands of these email messages are sent out by scammers to trick their potential victims into sending them their personal information and money.
The scammers, pretending to be Mrs. Theresa Heidi, trick their potential victims into sending them their information by claiming they will receive her inheritance or donation. Once the scammers have gotten their potential victims information, they will subsequently contact them and ask them to send money in order to claim their donation. But, if the potential victims send their money, the scammers will collect it and disappear.
Remember, never send money to receive donations or lottery prizes. And, once you are asked to do so, it is more than likely a scam.
A Sample of the "Greeting From Mrs. Theresa Heidi" Donation Scam
GREETING FROM MRS THERESA
Tue 23/05/2017 20:00
From: CHARITY WORK
Dear Friend
I am happy to know you, but God knows you better and he knows why he has directed me to you at this point, so do not be afraid. I prayed and I came across your data via a private search. I am writing this mail to you with heavy sorrow in my heart, this massage mighty come to you as surprise but i chose to reach you through internet because it still remains the fastest medium of communication through this medium internet has been greatly abused.Please give me this little chance to explain myself to you, I would have like to meet you face to face before departing from this mother earth but due to the illness continue to deprive the chance but even if I die on the process of this operation I will still praise my God ALMIGHTY.
My name is Mrs Theresa Heidi I am a dying woman and i decided to donate what I have to you for charity work/assistance to less privileged people in the society. I am 50 years old and I was diagnosed of cancer for about 4 years ago, immediately after the death of my husband, who has left me everything he worked for and because my doctor told me that i would not last for the period of one year due to cancer problem. Because of my health, I have some funds I inherited from my late husband, the sum of (6.5 Million Dollars) and I needed a very honest and God fearing person who can withdraw this money then use the funds for Charity works.
After honest prayers asking the LORD to bring me a helper and i decided to contact you if you may be willing and interested to handle these trust funds in good faith before anything happens to me. I want a good person who will use the money to work for Gods charity homes and I have chosen you after going through your profile. I want this money to be share to the next privileged since I do not have a child to inherit the money and my late husband relatives all are non believers and I don't want my husband’s hand earn money to be used in an ungodly ways.
Hence the reason for taking this bold decision because I do not have any child who will inherit this money after I die. I am desperately in keen need of assistance and I have summoned up courage to contact you for this task, you must not fail me and the millions of the poor people in our today world. This is no stolen money and there are no dangers involved, is 100% risk free with full legal proof.
This money is still with them and the management just wrote me as the true owner to come forward to receive the money for keeping it so long or rather issue a letter of authorization to somebody to receive it on my behalf since I cannot come over because of my illness or they get it confiscated.
Presently, I'm with my laptop in a hospital here in where I have been undergoing treatment for cancer of the lungs. It is my last wish to see that this money is invested to any organization of your choice and distributed each year among the charity organization, the poor and the motherless babies’ home.
I want you to use this money to fund orphanages and widows; I took this decision, before I rest in peace because my time will soon be up. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of them. I am absolutely assuring you that no trouble is involved in this money because this is my late husband money.
I want you to take 30 percent of the total money for your personal use while 70% of the money will go to charity. I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality and trust in this matter to accomplish my heart desire, as I don't want anything that will jeopardize my last wish. Please kindly respond for further details. REPLY TO MY PRIVATE E-MAIL PROVIDED HERE ONLY { mrswinlytheresaheidi@yahoo.com }
THANKS AND MAY ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HELP
Your Beloved
Sister Theresa"