419 scam: JAMES TOLU <jamestolu@hotmail.com> PLS GET back TO ME

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
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.
- jamestolu5050@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: JAMES TOLU <jamestolu@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: JAMES TOLU <jamestolu5050@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 10:25:33 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: PLS GET back TO ME

Dear Sir/Madam,

I only got your contact details from the South Africa Exchange
Information On-line Service on my personal programmed search on the
internet for a reputable company or individual to assist me sincerely
& confidential which your information & profiles were very
satisfactory, so I decided to contact you immediately.
It is my great pleasure to write you this letter .
Within the Department of Minerals & Energy where I work as a Director
of Audit and Project Implementation, I have in my possession an
overdue payment in US funds. The said funds represent certain
percentage of the total contract value executed on behalf of my
Department by a foreign contracting firm, which, I the official
over-invoiced to the amount of US$30,200, 000.00 (ThirtyÂ Million Two
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). Though the actual contract
cost has been paid to the original contractor, leaving the excess
balance unclaimed.
Since the present elected Government is determined to pay foreign
contractors all debts owed, so as to maintain good relationship with
foreign governments and non-government agencies, we included our bills
for approvals with the Department of Finance and the South Africa
Reserve Bank (SARB). I am seeking your assistance to front as
beneficiary of the unclaimed funds, since I am not allowed to operate
foreign accounts.
Details and change of beneficiary information upon application for
claim to reflect payment and approvals will be secured on behalf of
you/your Company. I have to propose that should you be willing to
assist me in this transaction your share as compensation will be
(35%), I receive (60%) and the balance of (5%) for taxation and
miscellaneous expenses incurred during the transfer process.
The business is completely safe and secure, provided you treat it with
Utmost confidentiality. It does not matter whether you/your Company
does contract projects, as a transfer of powers will be secured in
favor of you/your Company. Also, your area of specialization is not a
hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction. I have
reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me.
Your urgent response please. Thanks for your co-operation.
jamestolu5050@gmail.com
Regards,
Mr.JamesTolu.
N.B Please email your confidential Telephone and Fax numbers to enable
me contact you for further clarifications.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam