419 scam: "Mr. James Williams"<james_williams125@yahoo.com> GREETINGS FROM MR. JAMES WILLIAMS

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
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.
- jw7093165@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. James Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jw7093165@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 18:10:48 +0100
Subject: GREETINGS FROM MR. JAMES WILLIAMS

Dear Friend,

My name is Mr. James Williams, Executive Director and Head of Personal Banking ( Investment & Development). I am a private investor who wants to

invest his financial estate in long-term business venture especially in public and private securities (including real estate, energy, oil and gas,

emerging markets, and high-technology) in your country/company under your supervision.

You will be required to;

[1]. Receive the funds

[2]. Invest and Manage the funds profitably

I am willing to negotiate management sharing percentage after your acceptance. And all legal requirements that will perfect the legality and

movement of the fund shall or will be duly obtained by my attorney in the appropriate departments in due course. As I expect to hear from you

urgently as this is a high priority Investment Placement and kindly send your information to enhance communication.

Thank you for your understanding and you may contact me with this email

address: jw7093165@yahoo.com

Sincerely Yours,

Mr. James Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam