419 scam: "Gerald Wilcox" <gerald.wilcox49@airsoftmail.com> Hi, did you AUTHORIZE Mr. Walsh Swicco?

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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:
- "cost of transfer" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- gerald.wilcox149@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Gerald Wilcox" <gerald.wilcox49@airsoftmail.com>
Reply-To: gerald.wilcox49@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2010 05:24:14 -0500
Subject: Hi, did you AUTHORIZE Mr. Walsh Swicco?

Hello,
This mail is devoid of any fraudulent or nefarious intent,I apologize if you
take offense at it. Rather, you should count yourself lucky that you have
finally found succor in this letter.
Kindly confirm if you gave consent to a certain Mr. Walsh Swicco,
an American business man to have your entitlement wired into his bank
of America account as stated below:
Bank Name: Bank of America
Bank Address: North Nova Road, Ormond Beach, Florida 32174.
Swift code: BOFAUS6S
Routing No: 026-009-593
Account Number: 898002364671
Account Name: W-Swissco Imports.
If you did not give him consent, then your rebuttal should be strong worded
in your reply to enable me file a disclaimer in the probate registry.
Meanwhile, Our attention has been drawn to the prolonged delays in effecting
the release of your entitlements.
The delays was caused by a number of unorthodox and unacceptable reasons
ranging from unnecessary sundry charges such as cost of transfer (C.O.T),
courier service
charge, payment for ATM cards, Tax, verifications and documentations as well
as other minor charges. The C.O.T charges should not be borne by the
beneficiary; rather it should be deducted from source. My vantage position as
a clerk in the Supreme Court has afforded me the privilege of coming in
contact with numerous files and the haphazard manner in which your
entitlement claims was processed by your supposed representatives. Be informed
that the only reason your entitlement is been held back is because of the
defective legal representations / documentations at the appropriate agencies.
You must severe further contacts with those purportedly acting on your behalf.
Without further ado, I implore you to allow me use my expertise and contacts
in assisting you with the retrieval of your entitlements which is long
overdue for payment by filing the paperwork’s in conformity with the laid down
legal procedures. Consequently, I urge you to send the following
information to enable me re-confirm the status of your entitlement and to
handle the
transaction in a more professional manner. Some of these claims are
legitimate while some are just scams; let me verify your file status viz:
i) your age and marital status, ii) current residential address, cell and
land phone numbers, iii) your full names and the name of your former
representatives if any.
Be informed herewith that your entitlement will be paid to you from an
accredited bank in Spain or from a bank in the U.S.A.

I await your swift response.
Sincerely,
Gerald Wilcox

Private email: gerald.wilcox149@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam