419 scam: Mr John C Williams <mambros251@gmail.com> ATTN: YOUR URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED.

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Mr John C Williams <mambros251@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mmoneygram048@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 30 May 2021 20:47:08 -0700
Subject: ATTN: YOUR URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED.

Federal Reserve Bank-USA
Address: 33 Liberty Street,
New York, NY USA.
ATTN: YOUR URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED.

Dear Beneficiary,

We Receive Your Mail,I am Mr. JOHN C WILLIAMS.. The New Secretary of
the Treasury under the USA Department of the Treasury. The executive
agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the
financial security of the USA. However, by virtue of my position as
the new Secretary of the Treasury, I have irrevocably instructed
the Federal Reserve Board to approve your fund release via issuance of
a CERTIFIED CHECK drawn on FEDERAL RESERVE BANK, which is the
authorized bank for your fund release.However, as a former White House
Chief of Staff. Prior to that role, WILLIAMS was the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), I wish to state categorically
that a CERTIFIED CHECK of (US$15,500,000:00) USD drawn on Federal
Reserve Bank will be issued and sent to you via the USA Postal
Service at no cost to you. Every and all cost associated with the
delivery of the CHECK has been per-paid by the USA Government. The
only cost associated with your fund release is the cost of processing
a "Fund Clearance Certificate", which is estimated to the value of
$50.00
USD. The "Fund Clearance Certificate" is required in accordance with
the USA Monetary Policy; and it is the ONLY expenses you will incur
before the CHECK will be sent to
your mailing address. Hence, you are advised to send the $50.00 USD
via Steam wallet gift card or iTunes gift card to enable us get this
done fast today
and once you send it scratch it very well and send the copy of the card

You can get more facts about the USA Department of the Treasury on this link
http://www.treasury.gov/about/Pages/Secretary.aspx Please get back to
me with a quick confirmation of your mailing address and the copy of the
card of $50.00 USD.because you already bless,

Yours Sincerely,
MR JOHN C WILLIAMS
Secretary of the Treasury

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam