419 scam: "MARK WILLIAMS"<markwilliams2005206@hotmail.com> Urgent Attention

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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:

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:
- "consignment " (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "MARK WILLIAMS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mark_williams204@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:06:21 +0100
Subject: Urgent Attention

FROM MR. MARK WILLIAMS.
RE-OUTSTANDING PAYMENT:

Urgent Attention,

I had to make this contact after much deliberation. My name is Mr. Mark Williams, Claims / External Auditor General to the Bank of America Atlanta Georgia branch.

This is to bring to your notice of an unclaimed fund/abandoned consignment fund deposited with the Bank of America here in Atlanta Georgia (U.S.A) through International Payment Affiliates which has remained unpaid in your favour for a period of time, after adequate verification from the authorities concerning the said fund, I with my position decided to contact you for onward release of fund to your bank account; you are hereby required to contact me urgently for the release of your payment.

Re-confirm your details:
(1) Your Full Names:
(2) Your Official Address:
(3) Your Telephone Number for Confirmation:
(4) Your Age/ Occupation

Therefore, if you agree to compensate me with 25% of the total amount deposited with the Bank of America, I will obtain an Approval Permit from the US Finance Ministry that will authorize the Bank of America to release the fund to you.

Yours faithfully,
MR. MARK WILLIAMS.
CLAIMS / EXTERNAL AUDITOR GENERAL.
BANK OF AMERICA (BOA).

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam