419 scam: Mrs Williams <webhgfd@outlook.com> HELLO

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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)
- "with your full names" (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.
- wmrsmary@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs Williams <webhgfd@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <wmrsmary@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2015 13:12:52 +0200
Subject: HELLO

From: Mrs.Mary Williams

Dear Sir/Madam,

INVESTMENT
PROPOSAL!!

My name is Mrs.Mary Williams I am a staff of a
government ministry in South Africa responsible for awarding and execution of
contracts. I have in my possession an outstanding contract payment of USD21, 000,000 Million. These funds
represent certain percentage of the total contract value executed on behalf of
a Department by a foreign contracting firm, which was officially over-invoiced
to the amount of (USD21, 000,000).
Though the actual contract cost has been paid to the original contractor,
leaving the excess balance unclaimed. So I am in search of an individual who
will assist me to transfer the outstanding amount of the total fund and
subsequently we invest same in lucrative ventures in his country.

You will receive this fund as an applied contractor. For your support and partnership,
please reply to negotiate the fee or the percentage you will be paid when the
funds arrive in your account overseas. I have the surety to secure approvals
with the concerned Departments. You must however note that this transaction,
with regard to my disposition to continue with you is subject to these terms:

Firstly, our conviction of your transparency; ’meaning you will not ‘sit’ on
the funds when it arrives in your account, Secondly, that you treat this transaction
with confidentiality and also provide an account for which you have absolute
control.

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 as what we need is a foreign individual or firm we will present and
do the paperwork to clear the funds. I have reposed my confidence in you and
hope that you will not disappoint me in any way.

I am looking forward to doing business with you and
please email your response to me through my private email address below. Kindly
provide me with your full names and telephone number so I can reach you for
more details and further deliberations.

Best regards

Mrs.Mary Williams

E-mail: wmrsmary@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam