419 scam: "Paul Wilson"<update@gmail.com> RE: PLEASE CLARIFY

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +447452183060

Fraud email example:

From: "Paul Wilson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paulnelsonw70@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2015 22:36:12 +0800
Subject: RE: PLEASE CLARIFY

Dear Friend,

My name is Paul Wilson from London United Kingdom. I got you information through our business directorate in our chamber, I work with government of London United Kingdom in the office of the ministry of Finance and I have USD$45m (Forty five million United States Dollars) of Over-invoice payment from my office to transfer out from Brussels, Belgium to you in any account you may give to me, it is a government money and I have every paper work to cover it up. I know that you must have received a similar offer via email but be rest assured that you will never be required to spend any money during this deal.

My purpose of transferring this money is for investment in your country. I need you to stand as the beneficiary of the money were the funds were kept in Bank. As soon as you receive it into your account, I will come over to invest my own share which you will help me to do, and I will give you 30% of the money for helping me.

I am expecting your response. You can call on my phone number to discuss further.

Thanks,

Paul Wilson

Mobile Phone number:+44 745 218 3060

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam