419 scam: "Mr. Michael Williams " <mr.michaelwilliams05@gmail.com> Dear Friend,

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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "it will be a bank to bank transfer" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",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)
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Michael Williams " <mr.michaelwilliams05@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2023 15:30:17 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend,

Dear friend,

My name is Mr. Michael Williams. I am a banker and regional manager of
a bank here in Ghana. I need your help to transfer the sum of US$
12,500,000.00 to your account as my foreign partner. The fund is part
of the profits made by our bank over the last 4 years at the branch
where I manage.

I have already submitted last year annual report to my bank
headquarters in Accra - Ghana and they have not noticed the surplus
profits. I have deposited the said $12,500,000.00 into an escrow
account with no payee (Anonymous), to avoid any trace.,

I cannot be directly connected to this fund as I am still working with
the bank. So I need your help to transfer these funds to your account
in your country for you and me to share. I offer you 50% of these
funds as my foreign partner and 50% will be for me. There is no risk
because it will be a bank to bank transfer. So I want you to be the
owner of this fund so that you can present a foreign bank account
where the funds can be transferred to you as my foreigner partner.,

If you accept this proposal, I am prepared to partner with you. Please
reply to me for more information on how to proceed.

Sincerely,
Sir Michael Williams,
The Regional Manager,
Tema Branch, Accra - Ghana

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam