419 scam: "John C. Williams" <johnwilliams@nlp-improve.com> Attention Sir/Ma,

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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:
- "account opening" (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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 next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "John C. Williams" <johnwilliams@nlp-improve.com>
Reply-To: freserveban@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 03 Mar 2022 16:39:22 -0600
Subject: Attention Sir/Ma,

--
Dear: Esteem Customer

Your payment has been approved and endorsed by the United Nations
Organization authorities, Your detailed information has been confirmed
with the instruction and approvals given from International Monetary
Fund and Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI, Washington DC, USA regards
the deposited funds from IMF, sum US$10,900,000.00. as full payment of
your inheritance fund.

Due to the incessant scam activities going around the globe, Federal
Bureau Investigation (FBI) and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro
Nicholas Mayorkas, Adjutant's General and Director State
Military Department ,Washington Military Dept., Bldg 1 Camp Murray, WA
98430-5000 has instructed our Financial Institution to use high
Performance in Banking System set up your Personal Online Banking
Account. The sum of US$10,900,000.00 was deposited in our bank and we
have been instructed to pay your directly via personal online bank The
Management has resolved to open Personal Online Banking Account for you
with our bank and then give you the online access which will
enable you to check and make electronics wire transfer out of your
online account to any valid bank account of your choice.

We are going to have this account open on your name as soon as you reply
to this important email and we shall update you with your new account
information for your record. Once set up the new online
account in your name we shall forward it to your email for prove and to
enable you gain access to your US$10,900,000.00 for your record. Let me
know if you agree to proceed and understand the importance of this
matter before we go ahead with your account opening so that we can get
this matter completed. Kindly send below information to enable us to set
up the new online account for you.

Full Name:
Full Address:
Date of Birth:
Monthly income:
Zip Code:
Direct Telephone Number:
Marital Status:
Gender:
Next of Kin:
Occupation:

Please, reconfirm your direct cell phone number to enable voice
communication Thanks for the patronage
John C. Williams
Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam