419 scam: "Miss Grace James" <JamesThomas@konin.lm.pl> Please reply immediately

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "million us dollars" (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)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- missgracejames@yahoo.co.nz (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Miss Grace James" <JamesThomas@konin.lm.pl>
Reply-To: missgracejames@yahoo.co.nz
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:32:56 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Please reply immediately

Hello.....

My Name is Miss Grace James, the Chief Executive of Eco bank plc in Ghana
, former account officer to Mr. John Harry, an American Citizen, who died
in plane crash at Birmingham Airport on 4th Jan, 2002, Before the death of
Late John Harry, he maintained a deposit account with my Bank (Eco bank
plc in Ghana) After our Auditors meeting last week I discover the dormant
account, I now seek your permission and support to have you stand in as a
next of kin to the Late deceased, as all documentations will be carefully
worked out by me for the release of these funds, all amounting to the tune
of ($28.500, 000 Million US dollars )Only to any nominated account of your
choice.

I propose to offer of 40% of the total amount for your assistance after
the transfer has been successfully concluded, if you are Interested.
Please reply immediately. to my email address at
missgracejames@yahoo.co.nz

Thanks and God bless.

Sincerely Yours,
Miss Grace James

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam