419 scam: CHARLES WILLIAMS <info@cw.org> (no subject)

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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.

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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 234789
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.
- charleswlaw@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: CHARLES WILLIAMS <info@cw.org>
Reply-To: charleswlaw@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 9 Aug 2013 02:03:09 +0900
Subject:

Greetings,

I am Charles Williams, a solicitor at law. My client, his wife and their only son were involved in a bomb explosion-the whole occupants of the building were they leave unfortunately lost their lives which include my client and his entire family. Since i have made several enquiries to their embassy to locate any of my late client extended relative all this while all has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decide to trace his relative over the internet to locate any member of his family but no avail.
Hence i have contacted you to asset in repatriating the funds valued ($7,500.000.00) Seven million five hundred thousand united state dollars. For the fact that I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for some years now, I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased, since you happen to bear the same last name with my late client, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer.

I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for claim. All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.

I will be urgently be waiting to hear from you do get back to me immediately

Regards,

Charles Williams
Attorney at law
Email: charleswlaw@yahoo.com
Telephone: 234789 Ext122
Fax:23487867

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam